Effects of climate-related risks and extreme events on health outcomes and health utilization of primary care in rural and remote areas: a scoping review

Dewi, Sari; Kasim, Rosny; Sutarsa, I Nyoman; Hunter, Arnagretta; Dykgraaf, Sally Hall

doi:10.1093/fampra/cmac151

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…This would mean minor to moderate heat-related symptoms for remote residents will be evident only through the analysis of PHC data and not hospital, ED, or medical retrieval data. We also argue that current heat-related health impacts are underestimated as PHC data have yet to be adequately analysed across Australia [166]. Not all heat-related effects will require hospital admissions, emergency visits, or ambulance call-outs [167].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Examining the Heat Health Burden in Australia: A Rapid Review

Bhatta,

Field,

Cass

et al. 2023

Climate

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Extreme heat has been linked to increased mortality and morbidity across the globe. Increasing temperatures due to climatic change will place immense stress on healthcare systems. This review synthesises Australian literature that has examined the effect of hot weather and heatwaves on various health outcomes. Databases including Web of Science, PubMed and CINAHL were systematically searched for articles that quantitatively examined heat health effects for the Australian population. Relevant, peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2023 were included. Two authors screened the abstracts. One researcher conducted the full article review and data extraction, while another researcher randomly reviewed 10% of the articles to validate decisions. Our rapid review found abundant literature indicating increased mortality and morbidity risks due to extreme temperature exposures. The effect of heat on mortality was found to be mostly immediate, with peaks in the risk of death observed on the day of exposure or the next day. Most studies in this review were concentrated on cities and mainly included health outcome data from temperate and subtropical climate zones. There was a dearth of studies that focused on tropical or arid climates and at-risk populations, including children, pregnant women, Indigenous people and rural and remote residents. The review highlights the need for more context-specific studies targeting vulnerable population groups, particularly residents of rural and remote Australia, as these regions substantially vary climatically and socio-demographically from urban Australia, and the heat health impacts are likely to be even more substantial.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Examining the Heat Health Burden in Australia: A Rapid Review

Bhatta,

Field,

Cass

et al. 2023

Climate

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“…One scoping review about the impact of climate related events on rural population only found two articles related to heatrelated illness in Australia. 36 Another review explored the effect of heat events on prehospital and retrieval service utilisation in rural and remote areas and found only two articles. 37 For both articles in this review, there was a significant increase in ambulance call-outs following heatwaves, with evidence of dose-response relationship in which there was an increased effect size seen in highseverity events.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research into the effects of extreme heat for all rural Australian populations is also limited. One scoping review about the impact of climate related events on rural population only found two articles related to heat‐related illness in Australia 36 . Another review explored the effect of heat events on prehospital and retrieval service utilisation in rural and remote areas and found only two articles 37 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of extreme heat on older regional and rural Australians: A systematic review

Harvey,

Bain‐Donohue,

Dewi

2024

Australian J Rural Health

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IntroductionExtreme heat causes a major health burden, especially for older Australians.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of extreme heat on older regional and rural Australians, including clinical presentations, social implications, and health‐seeking behaviours and adaptations.DesignA systematic review and narrative synthesis.FindingsTen articles were included in the review with research on this topic limited. Extreme heat causes an increase in mortality and ambulance dispatches for older rural Australians. Social connectedness is negatively affected by extreme heat due to cancellation of events and individuals becoming housebound. Air conditioning is the main cooling mechanism used, although cost is a major concern. Despite this, older rural populations display a depth of knowledge regarding practical behavioural responses to adapt to extreme heat. Studies show older rural Australians do not consider extreme heat to be a threat to health.DiscussionFurther research needs to examine the role extreme heat may play in contributing to experiences of loneliness. Air conditioning cannot be the ultimate solution in responding to extreme heat due to cost and increased carbon emissions. The low‐risk perception of extreme heat for older rural people may inform effective heat health warnings and effective use of primary health care in heat‐health education. Listening to First Nations knowledge in dealing with heat may provide a powerful mechanism in which to protect health.ConclusionThe extensive health effects of extreme heat highlights the necessity of further research and strengthening of services in preparation for an ageing rural population enduring climate change.

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Heat vulnerability: health impacts of heat on older people in urban and rural areas in Europe

Fastl,

Arnberger,

Gallistl

et al. 2024

Wien Klin Wochenschr

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SummaryExposure to extreme heat is associated with both increased morbidity and mortality, especially in older people. Health burdens associated with heat include heat stroke, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart diseases, heart failure and arrhythmia, pulmonary diseases but also injuries, problems with activities of daily living, and mental disorders. In Europe, there are remarkable spatial differences in heat exposure between urban and less populated areas. In Austria, for example, there is a significant gradual association between population density and the number of heat days, where the gradient of urbanization also follows the gradient of sea level. The European population is continuously ageing, especially in rural areas. Older adults are especially vulnerable to negative health consequences resulting from heat exposure, due to a lack of physiological, social, cognitive, and behavioral resources. Older people living in urban areas are particularly at risk, due to the urban heat island effect, the heat-promoting interplay between conditions typically found in cities, such as a lack of vegetation combined with a high proportion of built-up areas; however, older people living in rural regions often have less infrastructure to cope with extreme heat, such as fewer cooling centers and emergency services. Additionally, older adults still engaged in agricultural or forestry activities may be exposed to high temperatures without adequate protection or hydration. More research is required to examine factors responsible for heat vulnerability in older adults and the interactions and possibilities for increasing resilience in older urban and rural populations to the health consequences of heat.

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Effects of climate-related risks and extreme events on health outcomes and health utilization of primary care in rural and remote areas: a scoping review

Cited by 6 publications

References 80 publications

Examining the Heat Health Burden in Australia: A Rapid Review

Examining the Heat Health Burden in Australia: A Rapid Review

The impact of extreme heat on older regional and rural Australians: A systematic review

Heat vulnerability: health impacts of heat on older people in urban and rural areas in Europe

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