Perspectives of environmental health officers on climate change adaptation in Australia: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Abstract Aim Climate change adaptation is critical for reducing and preventing many community health risks. The Environmental Health Profession has decades of experience of effective interventions for reducing and preventing many community health risks. However, in Australia adaptation is not included in the profession’s scope of practice leaving the community health at risk to climate change. The aim of this study was to assess the perspectives of Australian Environmental Health Officers concerning climate change health adaptation and whether this should be included in their role. Subject and methods Eighty-nine (89) eligible participants undertook a mixed method survey between November 2021 and January 2022. These participants were members of Environmental Health Australia and held a relevant degree in environmental health. The questions on the survey were related to six themed items: (1) climate change and health, (2) climate change adaptation, (3) the profession’s role in capacity building for adaptation, (4) hurdles for building adaptive capacity, (5) health awareness as a bridging concept and finally, (6) disaster risk reduction. Results The findings from this study indicate that the majority of participants were concerned for their community health from climate change impacts. A system thinking approach is required to effectively address and understand complex health risks. There was also an overwhelming support for the profession to integrate approaches of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in health. However, the environmental health profession is facing some significant hurdles to building adaptive capacity to climate change. Conclusion This study demonstrates the environmental health profession does want to have a role in climate change adaptation in Australia. These findings, with further qualitative research, could bolster the preventive public health approach in building community health resilience to climate change and related disasters.