A scientific review published within the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health describes the impact of climate change on health and health services in Northern Latest South Wales, Australia. This region is taken into account a “hotspot” for floods and bushfires in Australia.

Review: Impacts of Climate Change on Health and Health Services in Northern Latest South Wales, Australia: A Rapid Review. Image Credit: Cloudcatcher Media / Shutterstock

Background

Human activities comparable to the combustion of fossil fuels are primarily liable for the production of greenhouse gases. These gases absorb solar energy and trap the warmth near Earth’s surface, resulting in global warming and climate change.

In Australia, about 1.4 °C induction in surface temperature and 1 °C induction in ocean water temperature have been observed since 1910, significantly increasing the chance of utmost environmental events across the country, including heat waves, bushfires, dust storms, floods, and droughts.

Northern Latest South Wales is taken into account a “hotspot” for climate disaster declarations for floods and bushfires in Australia. In Latest South Wales, Local Health Districts are liable for providing healthcare services to defined nation-states. Thus, on the regional level, Local Health Districts play a necessary role in managing health adversities induced by climate change.

On this systematic review, scientists have summarized the available information on the effect of climate change on health and health services in Northern Latest South Wales. This information shall be helpful for Local Health districts to know and manage climate change-related health hazards on the regional level.

Study design

Scientists systematically reviewed the literature using various scientific databases to gather information on observed and predicted impacts of climate change on health and health services in Northern Latest South Wales.

The ultimate screening led to the identification of 11 peer-reviewed articles published between 2012 and 2022. Nearly all of these studies (9 out of 11) were observational.

Of those studies, two were qualitative studies investigating individuals’ experience of climate impacts; one was a descriptive study reporting the change in mosquito abundance and human disease following environmental changes; and 6 were time-series, longitudinal, or cross-sectional studies investigating the association between climate exposure and health outcomes.

Just one study reported the long-term health impacts of climate change and estimated the long run health risk of climate exposure.    

Vital observations

Nearly all of chosen studies primarily investigated the mental health impact of floods and droughts. Regarding health services, the first focus was on healthcare utilization attributable to respiratory, cardiovascular, and mortality outcomes related to bushfires or heat waves.

Not one of the studies investigated the health impact of tidal waves, sea-level rise, and environmental exposures to pollen, dust, or ozone. Similarly, no information was available on the direct health impacts of climate changes, comparable to heat stress-related health adversities. Indirect health impacts, comparable to water- or food-borne diseases, in addition to climate change-related chronic diseases, were also not present in the literature.

Mental health outcomes

Mental health was essentially the most studied climate change-related health end result in Northern Latest South Wales. Numerous studies reported a big increase in mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, amongst people affected by major flooding in 2017. The impact was more pronounced for people belonging to marginalized communities (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), people living on income support, and people living with disabilities.

Besides home displacement by flood, restricted social and healthcare access was identified as a serious trigger for psychological distress in these studies.    

Evidence also indicated that prolonged droughts are sometimes related to financial deprivation and psychological distress, especially amongst farmers and communities living in rural and distant areas. On this context, studies reported that farmers and residents of rural and distant areas are mostly concerned about water insecurity, recurrent natural disasters, financial loss, loss of non-public belongings, and inaccessibility to social and health supports, that are collectively liable for their psychological distress.

A quantitative study involving 11 rural and concrete regions of Latest South Wales found a positive association between the duration and intensity of droughts and the chance of suicide in rural regions. Nonetheless, no such association was observed in urban regions.

Vector-borne disease

One ecological study reported that two years of utmost droughts followed by an intense rainfall event and high tides have led to a big increase in mosquito count and subsequent human infections with Ross River virus (RRV) and Bamah Forest virus (BFV) in northeast Latest South Wales.  

Mortality

The impact of warmth and cold waves on mortality was assessed by a time-series evaluation. The findings revealed that extreme heat waves are related to increased mortality in urban, rural, and distant regions in Latest South Wales.

Similarly, intense cold waves were found to be related to increased mortality rates in rural and distant regions.

Impact on health services

Three studies reported the associations between extreme events (heat and cold waves, bushfires, and floods) and health service utilization. Specifically, extreme heat waves were found to be related to higher rates of ambulance callouts and emergency department visits.

Similarly, an association was observed between extreme cold waves and better rates of emergency department visits, especially in rural and distant regions.

Summer bushfire events of 2019-2020 in Latest South Wales were found to be related to increased emergency department visits for respiratory and cardiovascular complications. The 2019 and 2022 flood events in Northern Latest South Wales were found to limit access to health and social services, especially for people living with disabilities.

To summarize, the escalation of uncontrolled climate change exacerbates health hazards, particularly amongst vulnerable groups, while placing strains on healthcare systems. Local Health Districts should be prepared for the repercussions of climate impacts and respond accordingly.

The review highlighted a dearth of research on climate change and its impact on health, with a selected give attention to the mental well-being of people affected by floods and droughts, increased healthcare utilization stemming from respiratory and cardiovascular issues related to bushfires and heatwaves, and outbreaks of arboviruses.

Research gaps identified encompass various critical areas, including climate-related health outcomes like injuries, heat-related illnesses, water- and food-borne diseases, and chronic health conditions. Moreover, gaps exist in understanding the impacts on the health system, population exposure to bushfire smoke, dust, and rising sea levels. Moreover, the absence of predictive modeling hinders the assessment of future health risks and healthcare utilization inside the region.

Local Health Districts must address these gaps by gaining a greater understanding of the cumulative effects of utmost events, by collecting pertinent local data, extending support to vulnerable populations, and prioritizing research efforts in step with their capabilities. These actions will provide the essential insights to steer future policies.