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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Extreme heat and cultural and linguistic minorities in Australia: perceptions of stakeholders

Authors: Alana Hansen, Monika Nitschke, Arthur Saniotis, Jill Benson, Yan Tan, Val Smyth, Leigh Wilson, Gil-Soo Han, Lillian Mwanri, Peng Bi

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Despite acclimatisation to hot weather, many individuals in Australia are adversely affected by extreme heat each summer, placing added pressure on the health sector. In terms of public health, it is therefore important to identify vulnerable groups, particularly in the face of a warming climate. International evidence points to a disparity in heat-susceptibility in certain minority groups, although it is unknown if this occurs in Australia. With cultural diversity increasing, the aim of this study was to explore how migrants from different cultural backgrounds and climate experiences manage periods of extreme heat in Australia.

Methods

A qualitative study was undertaken across three Australian cities, involving interviews and focus groups with key informants including stakeholders involved in multicultural service provision and community members. Thematic analysis and a framework approach were used to analyse the data.

Results

Whilst migrants and refugees generally adapt well upon resettlement, there are sociocultural barriers encountered by some that hinder environmental adaptation to periods of extreme heat in Australia. These barriers include socioeconomic disadvantage and poor housing, language barriers to the access of information, isolation, health issues, cultural factors and lack of acclimatisation. Most often mentioned as being at risk were new arrivals, people in new and emerging communities, and older migrants.

Conclusions

With increasing diversity within populations, it is important that the health sector is aware that during periods of extreme heat there may be disparities in the adaptive capacity of minority groups, underpinned by sociocultural and language-based vulnerabilities in migrants and refugees. These factors need to be considered by policymakers when formulating and disseminating heat health strategies.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Extreme heat and cultural and linguistic minorities in Australia: perceptions of stakeholders
Authors
Alana Hansen
Monika Nitschke
Arthur Saniotis
Jill Benson
Yan Tan
Val Smyth
Leigh Wilson
Gil-Soo Han
Lillian Mwanri
Peng Bi
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-550

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