Climate change adaptation to smoke haze for improved child health in Southeast Asia (HEAL-HAZE)

Project Description

This cooperative research project involving partners from Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos aims assess the effectiveness of climate change adaptation interventions intended to strengthen community resilience to wildfire smoke in Southeast Asia and increase their adoption and implementation in the region to protect children’s health.

Globally, seven million people die each year because of air pollution, of which 650,000 are children. One third of these preventable deaths occur in Southeast Asia. Smoke haze from wildfires (i.e. forest, peat and agricultural fires) is an increasing public health threat to which children are particularly vulnerable for both physiologic and behavioural reasons.

Climate change is the underlying cause of the prolonged dry and hot conditions that have increased the risk of extreme wildfires and smoke haze in Southeast Asia. However, there is currently limited evidence on the effectiveness of interventions aiming to reduce the impact of wildfires on children.

The HEAL-HAZE project is a partnership between local research teams with integrated policy and community connections in four of the most affected countries in the region (Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos) and experts from Australia with extensive experience in dealing with the public health and early life impacts of wildfires.

 


Project Team
Prof
Sotiris Vardoulakis
University of Canberra
A/Prof
Kraichat Tantrakarnapa
Prof
Budi Haryanto
Prof
Vannak Ann
Dr
Tippawan Prapamontol
A/Prof
Keophousone Phonhalath
Dr
Al Asyary
Dr
Amita Bansal
Australian National University
Dr
Richard Broome
Doctor
Timothy Chaston
University of Canberra
Prof
Nicolas Cherbuin
Australian National University
Dr
Ivanie Destila
Dr
Swe Gyin-Gyin
Dr
Nigel Goodman
University of Canberra
Dr
Leakhena Hang
Dr
Ivan Hanigan
Curtin University
Dr
Sawaeng Kawichai
Dr
Wissanupong Kliengchuay
Doctor
Keonakhone Khounvilay
Dr
Sreang Kosal
Doctor
Gopika Indu
University of Canberra

Bin Jalaludin
Prof
Fay Johnston
Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania
Dr
Penelope Jones
Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania
A/Prof
Luke Knibbs
The University of Sydney
Dr
Nina Lazaveric
Australian National University
Prof
Geoff Morgan
The University of Sydney
Dr
Lai Nguyen Huy

Christopher Nolan
Doctor
Enembe Okokon
University of Canberra
Dr
Ittipol Pawarmart
Prof
Gavin Pereira
Curtin University
A/Prof
Didin Agustian Permandi
Dr
Suparat Phuanukoonnon
Dr
Nanda Riska

Nilandone Senvanpan
Dr
Oulavanh Sinsamphanh
Doctor
Paire Somboonsin
University of Canberra
Dr
Vanphanom Sychareun
Prof
Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh
Dr
Indang Trihandini
Dr
Dalin Um
Dr
Viengnakhone Vongxay
A/Prof
Ekbordin Winijkul
Dr
Nurul Winarni

Marta Yebra
Partner organisations
Funder
Funded by: East Asia Science and Innovation Area Joint Research Program (e-Asia JRP)
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).
chevron-down linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram