32 health groups today released a joint statement calling on the federal government to address climate change in the National Preventive Health Strategy, which is currently in development. The Strategy’s Consultation Paper does not include climate change in its six focus areas, nor even mention “climate change”.
The groups include: Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA), Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA), Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), Consumers Health Forum of Australia, Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) and the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). See the full list of signatories in the Joint Statement here or below.
The joint statement says: “A National Preventive Health Strategy that is fit for purpose in the 21st century must address climate change – or it will fail in its objectives.
“The negative health impacts of climate change range from impacts on every human organ system, to disruption of the healthcare supply chain, damage to health infrastructure and threats to the safety and quality of care.”
The Strategy’s Consultation Paper is open for feedback until 28 September.
