Extreme hot and cold driving inland health emergencies
One in 15 visits to the emergency department in Australia’s largest inland city is caused by extreme heat and cold.
Known for both its harsh winters and scorching summers, Canberra has experienced a greater share of cold-related health emergencies in the two decades leading up to 2021; roughly four percent of all cases, or 57,600 cases.
Extreme heat is also a significant cause of emergency admissions in Australian Capital Territory hospitals, accounting for 2.5 per cent.
Extremely hot days will become a greater driver of health emergencies due to human-caused climate change, Australian National University research suggests.
As a warming climate causes higher temperatures and heat wave events, the study predicts that temperature conditions will increase to 2.7 percent of all emergency presentations between 2040 and 2061.
Until then, the cold will continue to be a larger cause of serious health problems in the nation’s capital, but the rate of all emergency admissions will drop to 3.2 percent.
Australia’s inland cities and towns have been largely ignored in studies of the health problems caused by extreme weather, with most of the focus concentrated on the major coastal capitals.
Inland climates tend to be more variable than coastal climates; generally experience colder winters and warmer summers.
The latest information on human health and climate extremes comes as South Australia is reeling from the highest temperatures seen in recent years.
While temperatures in Canberra can be expected to be in the 30s on Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned that temperatures in inland regions may reach 45°C due to the heat wave that lasts for days, affecting every state except Queensland.
Authorities are also alert to extreme fire conditions.
Michael Tong, lead author of the ACT study, said Australians needed to take steps to protect themselves from extreme climate conditions such as heatwaves that will continue in the coming days.
“Stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities,” he told AAP.
Climate health studies completed by Dr Tong and colleagues could help inform public health management and be tailored to different age groups.
While heatwaves are still a danger for this age group, older Canberrans aged 60 and over were at risk of trips to emergency rooms due to extreme cold.
Children and adolescents were more likely to experience health problems on hot days; This reflected that they were spending more time and activities outdoors.
Adults ages 20 to 60 were more likely to struggle on moderately hot days; This shows that the age group is actually better at handling extreme temperatures.
“We need to take care of our elderly during the winter months,” Dr Tong said.
“I also want to emphasize that no one can escape during climate change and that working to reduce carbon emissions is key.”
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