Publications,
Briefing and
Reports
Journal Articles
Supriya Mathew et al
Why are solar microgrids not the norm in remote Central Australia? Exploring local perception on solar energy and health
This study explores the enablers and barriers to solar energy adoption and the benefits of having solar microgrids in remote Australia. ...This study explores the enablers and barriers to solar energy adoption and the benefits of having solar microgrids in remote Australia.
Ang Li, Mathew Toll & Rebecca Bentley
The risk of energy hardship increases with extreme heat and cold in Australia
New research from the HEAL Network led by Ang Li, Mathew Toll and Rebecca Bentley from the University of Melbourne explores how the intensity, frequency, ...New research from the HEAL Network led by Ang Li, Mathew Toll and Rebecca Bentley from the University of Melbourne explores how the intensity, frequency, and duration of temperature extremes affect energy hardship. It showed that the risk of energy hardship increases with both extreme heat and cold temperatures. Older individuals, low-income households, and rental tenants are at greater risk of energy hardship. These risks to vulnerable groups were reduced if they lived in good quality and energy efficient housing.
Nigel Goodman et al
Volatile organic compounds in regular and organic vaping liquids: a public health concern
New research shows that both regular and organic flavoured vapes emit numerous volatile organic compounds, some of which are classified as hazardous to humans. ...New research shows that both regular and organic flavoured vapes emit numerous volatile organic compounds, some of which are classified as hazardous to humans.
Maria Rosa Gatto, Adelle Mansour, Ang Li and Rebecca Bentley
A State-of-the-Science Review of the Effect of Damp- and Mold-Affected Housing on Mental Health
Review of current evidence found that, generally, exposure to damp and mould in homes is associated with poorer mental health. ...Review of current evidence found that, generally, exposure to damp and mould in homes is associated with poorer mental health.
Lucas Hertzog, Fiona Charlson, Petra Tschakert, Geoffrey G Morgan, Richard Norman, Gavin Pereira, Ivan C Hanigan
Suicide deaths associated with climate change-induced heat anomalies in Australia: a time series regression analysis
This study highlights the measurable impact of climate change-induced heat anomalies on suicide deaths in Australia ...This study highlights the measurable impact of climate change-induced heat anomalies on suicide deaths in Australia
Sharon Campbell et al
Social and health factors influence self-reported evacuation intentions in the wildfire-prone island of Tasmania, Australia
New research discovers how our gender, education and health status can influence our evacuation intentions during a bushfire ...New research discovers how our gender, education and health status can influence our evacuation intentions during a bushfire
Hudson C. et al
The impact of airborne particulate matter-based pollution on the cellular and molecular mechanisms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
This review aims to provide a mechanistic understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways that lead to the development of COPD following chronic PM exposure ...This review aims to provide a mechanistic understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways that lead to the development of COPD following chronic PM exposure
Forbes McGain
Climate change and child health
We must guide civilisation safely through the bottleneck of climate change and species mass extinction, driven by the twin challenges of over-consumption and over-population. ...We must guide civilisation safely through the bottleneck of climate change and species mass extinction, driven by the twin challenges of over-consumption and over-population.
Ang Li, Mathew Toll, Erika Martino, Ilan Wiesel, Ferdi Botha, Rebecca Bentley
Vulnerability and recovery: Long-term mental and physical health trajectories following climate-related disasters
Extreme weather and climate-related disaster events are associated with a range of adverse health outcomes… People are not equally vulnerable to the adversity, experiencing varied ...Extreme weather and climate-related disaster events are associated with a range of adverse health outcomes… People are not equally vulnerable to the adversity, experiencing varied patterns of long-term health trajectories in recovery depending on their vulnerabilities, capacities, and resiliencies. This study aims to identify latent mental and physical health trajectories and their associations with person- and place-based pre-disaster predictors.
Pauline Marsh, Stuart Auckland, Todd Dudley, Dave Kendal, Emily Flies
A mountain of health benefits? Impacts of ecological restoration activities on human wellbeing
In this paper we report on a qualitative study from the Break O’Day municipality in Tasmania, Australia, the site of over 20 years of… ecological ...In this paper we report on a qualitative study from the Break O’Day municipality in Tasmania, Australia, the site of over 20 years of… ecological restoration by local people. The organisation leading the restoration work, the Northeast Bioregional Network, observed that well-organised holistic ecological restoration projects could cultivate ecological ethics and improve human health.
Rebecca Bentley, Lyrian Daniel, Yuxi Li, Emma Baker, Ang Li
The effect of energy poverty on mental health, cardiovascular disease and respiratory health: a longitudinal analysis
Houses in mild-climate countries, such as Australia, are often ill-equipped to provide occupants protection during cold weather due… to their design. As a result, we ...Houses in mild-climate countries, such as Australia, are often ill-equipped to provide occupants protection during cold weather due… to their design. As a result, we rely on energy to warm homes, however, energy is becoming increasingly expensive, and evidence is emerging of a sizable burden to population health of being unable to afford to warm homes causing exposure to cold indoor temperatures.
Sotiris Vardoulakis, Fay Johnston, Nigel Goodman, Geoffrey Morgan, Dorothy Robinson
Wood heater smoke and mortality in the Australian Capital Territory: a rapid health impact assessment
In this paper we report the annual number of deaths in the ACT attributable to wood heater PM2.5 pollution, which is similar to that… attributed ...In this paper we report the annual number of deaths in the ACT attributable to wood heater PM2.5 pollution, which is similar to that… attributed to the extreme smoke of the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires. The number of wood heaters should be reduced by not permitting new installations and phasing out existing units in urban and suburban areas.
HEAL submissions to government consultation
HEAL SA Submission to Urban Greening Strategy for Metro Adelaide
HEAL South Australia (SA) Regional Hub made a submission to Green Adelaide in response to their draft 'Urban Greening Strategy for Metro Adelaide' in June 2024. Green Adelaide is a government urban environmental organisation, advising on policy and action for a greener more resilient urban environment. The submission was based on HEAL SA's findings from the urban green space workshop series, in which HEAL consulted with academics, NGOs and government representatives working in health, ecology and urban planning.
HEAL response to National Urban Policy
The HEAL Network made a formal submission on 18th July 2024 to the Urban Policy Team of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts on Australia’s draft National Urban Policy. Our response to the consultation provided expert technical input, highlighted the latest scientific evidence, and addressed the five goals for urban places (liveable, equitable, productive, sustainable and resilient) and the six objectives to support achievement of the five goals.
HEAL response to National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Issues Paper
The HEAL Network made a formal submission on 17th April 2024 to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) on Australia’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for climate change. We provided 18 pages of commentary, critique and feedback from the HEAL Network; 19 recommendations for the Department to consider; and 30 references showcasing the breadth of technical expertise of colleagues across the HEAL Network.
HEAL response to National Health and Climate Strategy
The HEAL Network made a formal submission on 24th July 2023 to the Department of Health and Aged Care on Australia’s landmark National Climate and Health Strategy. Our response to the consultation addressed 24 questions; provided expert feedback on the 4 proposed objectives, 5 enablers, and 6 principles of the strategy; and advised on the practical interventions and partnerships required for successful implementation of the strategy.
Reports
Sotiris Vardoulakis, Aditya Vyas, Krista Verlis, Rebecca Haddock, Alexandra Barratt, Priya Rajagopalan, Shilpi Tewari, Luise Kazda, Kristen Pickles, Katy Bell, Scott McAlister
The Health Advocate - November 2024
The November 2024 issue of The Health Advocate is dedicated to healthcare system sustainability and is published in collaboration with the HEAL Network. It features ...The November 2024 issue of The Health Advocate is dedicated to healthcare system sustainability and is published in collaboration with the HEAL Network. It features articles on climate action within healthcare, strategies to reduce carbon footprints and create climate-responsive health systems, and rethinking our healthcare infrastructure and practices to meet these environmental challenges effectively.
Aditya Vyas, Arthur Wyns, Naomi Beyeler, Vedika Patwari
COP28 Prospectus of Climate & Health Solutions
This COP28 Prospectus of Climate & Health Solutions presents case studies on a range of high-impact, evidence-backed interventions that can be rapidly scaled up to ...This COP28 Prospectus of Climate & Health Solutions presents case studies on a range of high-impact, evidence-backed interventions that can be rapidly scaled up to address climate change while simultaneously achieving health gains.
Sotiris Vardoulakis, Veronica Matthews, Linda Payi Ford, Supriya Mathew, Catherine Anne Joyce, Shiva Nagendra, Karina Martin
Danger of poor housing in remote communities
People in remote communities have survived thousands of years of weather extremes but need proper housing and clean energy for climate change resilience. The project, ...People in remote communities have survived thousands of years of weather extremes but need proper housing and clean energy for climate change resilience. The project, Clean Energy for Healthy Environments and Lives… (CE4HEAL), is concerned not just with the technological, logistical and economic barriers to transitioning to renewable energy, but the social and cultural dimensions of energy use among Indigenous, and other rural and remote communities.
Linda Payi Ford, Veronica Matthews, Sotiris Vardoulakis
Connection to Country has role in climate adaptation
Building resilience by sharing Indigenous knowledge on climate change strategies can benefit all Australians. ...Building resilience by sharing Indigenous knowledge on climate change strategies can benefit all Australians.
Sotiris Vardoulakis, Hasini Gunasiri, Scott McAlister, Katy Bell, Alexandra Barratt
The Health Advocate - November 2023
The November 2023 issue of The Health Advocate is dedicated to healthcare system sustainability and is published in collaboration with the HEAL Network. It features ...The November 2023 issue of The Health Advocate is dedicated to healthcare system sustainability and is published in collaboration with the HEAL Network. It features articles on: Collective action for a climate-resilient and sustainable… health system, the National Health and Climate Strategy, climate change and mental health, the carbon footprint of dialysis, low carbon alternative for cancer surveillance, and about re-thinking the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
Sotiris Vardoulakis, Kristen Pickles, Rebecca Haddock, Alex Barratt, Scott McAlister
The Health Advocate - November 2022
The November 2022 issue of The Health Advocate focuses on Sustainability in the health sector and features articles on: The HEAL Network, climate-proofing Australian health ...The November 2022 issue of The Health Advocate focuses on Sustainability in the health sector and features articles on: The HEAL Network, climate-proofing Australian health services and communities; Decarbonising clinical care in… Australia; The carbon footprint of diagnostic imaging Articles
We acknowledge the HEAL (Healthy Environments And Lives) National Research Network, which receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council Special Initiative in Human Health and Environmental Change (Grant No. 2008937).
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