A study co-authored by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) scientist warns that climate change could have far-reaching negative impacts on the health of rural Australians.Professor Kevin Parton, Professor of Business (Strategic) at CSU’s Orange Campus, says that the population of rural Australia may be subjected to new or intensified diseases because climate change will alter the distribution of some diseases. This is an opportune time to research this issue.
“As ‘vectors’ that support and carry diseases, such as air, water, and organic movement, shift in response to climate change, so too will health problems,” Professor Parton said.
“We could see both a worsening of existing diseases as well as the spread of diseases usually associated with warmer regions, such as Ross River and Barmah Forest viral infections, to more temperate zones.”
Professor Parton, and Dr Bi Peng from the University of Adelaide, are leaders of a project designed to integrate the economic, social and health aspects of climate change in rural Australia. They have summarised the findings of existing studies that inform the new project, with the findings published in the latest Australian Journal of Rural Health in a paper titled, 'Effect of climate change on Australian rural and remote regions: What do we know and what do we need to know?'
Professor Parton points out that many rural regions are predicted to receive higher temperatures, a more irregular distribution of rain, and changed patterns of air pollution and infectious diseases.
“Our previous work based in Adelaide also suggest changes in daily mortality and hospitalisation rates, emergency department visits, and the use of ambulance services,” he said.
“Because rural and remote regions play an important role in the nation in terms of crop and animal production, biodiversity, environmental security and heritage protection, identifying and exploring relevant adaptation and mitigation strategies will be crucial.
“An integrated approach is needed to overcome the limited information that can flow from single-impact studies.
“Our study will focus on a series of locations and assess the regional social and economic effects that flow from climate change as it impacts first on agriculture through soil moisture, changing water tables and altered land capabilities, and secondly on human health and demand for health services.
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