Drought, drying and climate change: Emerging health issues for ageing Australians in rural areas

Abstract

Older Australians living in rural areas have long faced significant challenges in maintaining health. Their circumstances are shaped by the occupations, lifestyles, environments and remoteness which characterise the diversity of rural communities. Many rural regions face threats to future sustainability and greater proportions of the aged reside in these areas. The emerging changes in Australia's climate over the past decade may be considered indicative of future trends, and herald amplification of these familiar challenges for rural communities. Such climate changes are likely to exacerbate existing health risks and compromise community infrastructure in some instances. This paper discusses climate change-related health risks facing older people in rural areas, with an emphasis on the impact of heat, drought and drying on rural and remote regions. Adaptive health sector responses are identified to promote mitigation of this substantial emerging need as individuals and their communities experience the projected impact of climate change.

Seasonality of hospital admissions for mental disorders in Hanoi, Vietnam

“…This result corresponded to findings from Australia and Taiwan because an increased impact of hot weather on rural mental health had been observed (34, 35). It is known that high vulnerability in rural communities can be predicted during variations or extremes in weather (36).…”

Older persons and heat-susceptibility: the role of health promotion in a changing climate

“…In rural areas for example, ageing Australians are particularly vulnerable due to isolation, environmental adversity, reduced access to health care and socioeconomic disadvantage. 24 The importance of behavioural adaptation during heat episodes Given the reasons discussed, it is important that older persons undertake adaptive behaviours during extreme heat to avoid the onset of heat-related pathology. The very old spend on average 80% of their time in their home, which studies have identified as being at the centre of their lives and a crucial aspect of their health.…”

Incorporating Sustainability into Community-Based Healthcare Practice

“…This may be in part be explained by the fact, that until more recently, there has not been a body of evidence to demonstrate the types of practice that can have concurrent health and environmental benefits. Evidence that is now emerging highlight multiple co-benefits for the promotion of health and protection of the environment through initiatives centred on active and sustainable transport (Woodcock et al 2009;Rissel 2009); healthy and sustainable food systems (Larson 2008;Dixon et al 2009); and mental health promotion and climate change adaptation (Greenhill et al 2009;Horton et al 2010). In Victoria preliminary consultations by Olaris (2008) and Rowe and Thomas (2008) suggest that practitioners in Victoria's healthcare settings are beginning to respond to the emerging evidence and community interest by integrating concerns for the environment into practice.…”