A new report has issued a stark warning that Australia's health system is buckling under the pressure of increasingly severe and frequent heatwaves and extreme weather events. The analysis, commissioned by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), highlights a direct and costly link between climate change and public health.
Emergency Departments Overwhelmed as Temperatures Soar
The report, titled 'No time for games: The climate health crisis is here', compiles data showing a dramatic surge in hospital admissions during periods of extreme heat. It points to a 7% increase in hospital admissions for every 1 degree Celsius rise above a temperature threshold. This isn't just about heatstroke; the strain exacerbates a wide range of conditions including heart and kidney disease, while also increasing the risk of injury.
Beyond the immediate human toll, the financial impact is staggering. The report estimates that extreme heat already costs the Australian health system approximately $777 million annually. This figure is projected to balloon, with one modelling study cited in the report suggesting costs could reach between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion by 2030, and a shocking $3.2 billion to $3.9 billion by 2050 if significant action is not taken.
A System Ill-Prepared for a New Climate Reality
The findings underscore a critical vulnerability: Australia's health infrastructure and emergency protocols were largely designed for a different climate era. AMA President Professor Steve Robson emphasised the urgency, stating the report shows "the climate health crisis is no longer a future threat" but a present-day emergency overwhelming healthcare workers.
Doctors for the Environment Australia spokesperson Dr. Kate Wylie echoed this, warning that the health system is already operating at capacity and cannot cope with the added burden. The compounding effects of successive disasters—like floods following bushfires—create a cycle of recovery that leaves communities and services perpetually vulnerable.
Call for National Strategy and Climate-Resilient Health Services
The medical bodies are calling for immediate and coordinated government action to future-proof the nation's health. Their key recommendations include:
- The development and funding of a National Climate and Health Strategy to improve preparedness and resilience.
- Significant investment in climate-resilient health infrastructure, ensuring hospitals and clinics can withstand extreme weather and continue operating during crises.
- A rapid transition to renewable energy sources to mitigate the root cause of the problem, framed as an essential public health intervention.
The report serves as a powerful reminder that climate change is not just an environmental issue but a profound public health crisis. It argues that reducing emissions and building resilient systems is not merely a policy choice, but a fundamental duty to safeguard the health of all Australians now and for generations to come.
