Experts convene to tackle the growing toll of climate change on health and healthcare system

Environmental health experts are gathering today at the Australian Medical Association (AMA) in Canberra to address the growing health threats posed by climate change and rising temperatures.

The Rising Temperatures, Rising Risks roundtable follows the most recent meeting of the Climate and Health Expert Advisory Group (CHEAG) in December, chaired by Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney MP.

AMA President, Dr Danielle McMullen, said the roundtable will focus on practical, contemporary solutions to mitigate the health impacts of extreme heat and prolonged heatwaves.

“Climate change is happening now, and it is having major impacts on all aspects of our lives, but we cannot afford to ignore the impacts it is having on our health,” Dr McMullen said.

She highlighted the significant strain heatwaves place on healthcare services, noting that ambulance callouts rise by 18% during extreme heat events, and more than 60% of heat-related deaths occur in Australia’s most disadvantaged areas.

The December CHEAG meeting – attended by representatives from Medicines Australia, MTAA, hospital and clinical groups, academics and patient organisations – reviewed advancements in the National Health and Climate Strategy. Of the 49 identified strategy actions, 17 have seen significant progress, with 12 either completed or nearing completion.

A key outcome was the Joint Statement on Sustainable Healthcare, committing signatories to integrating climate awareness into health professional education and optimising care models based on three sustainability principles: prevention, reducing low-value care, and delivering high-value, low-carbon care.

Additionally, the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review report included recommendations to incorporate environmental considerations into health technology assessments, reinforcing the need for a sustainable approach to healthcare innovation.

Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) has also launched the Hospital Sustainability Project Tracker, providing health organisations with a structured framework to implement, monitor, and report on sustainability initiatives.

“We aim to inspire real change across the sector, advancing environmental sustainability and improving the quality and safety of care in Australia,” said Project Tracker co-lead Dr Sonia Chanchlani.

Co-lead Dr Ben Dunne reinforced the urgency of sector-wide commitment, stating, “Sustainability efforts must be integrated across the entire organisation. Reaching a net-zero healthcare sector demands fundamental shifts in how we operate our facilities and provide clinical care.”

The AMA’s roundtable today will examine clinical insights and service gaps to develop strategies for mitigating heat-related health risks. A key focus will be on protecting vulnerable populations who are disproportionately impacted by extreme heat due to socio-economic disadvantage.

Dr McMullen stressed that heatwaves represent a “silent health crisis”, not only impacting individuals’ physical and mental health but also straining critical infrastructure and healthcare services.

“The effects of heat and rising temperatures on our health are real, and they are already being felt across our health system, at a time when it is already struggling,” Dr McMullen said. “We need to act, and we need to act now.”

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