Recently, the UCRH was invited to host a plenary session ‘Future proofing rural health in the climate crisis: what are we learning about inequity?’ at this year’s Rural Health and Research Congress in Lismore.
Our session was attended by about 60 health service professionals and researchers from across New South Wales. We were pleased to bring together some incredible speakers who shared their expertise and experiences on this topic. I was privileged to facilitate the session!
Our aim for this session was to motivate attendees to start thinking about the communities they work and live in, and how they can adapt and build resilience to the impacts of a changing climate. Given many communities are experiencing more frequent and severe weather events such as drought, floods and bushfires, this is a critical conversation to have right now.
Speakers were Professor Melissa Haswell, who shared her expertise as the Discipline Lead, Health, Safety and Environment Public Health and Social Work at Queensland University of Technology. Melissa opened with a summary of the broad impacts of a changing climate on health, with an equity focus. It wasn’t all doom and gloom though, we were all encouraged to take action by joining groups like the Climate and Health Alliance and Doctors for the Environment.
Dr Jo Longman from the UCRH shared findings from our research about flooding and mental health. Jo painted a picture of the unequal distribution of flooding impacts and subsequent mental health impacts for people living in the Northern Rivers during the 2017 flood. Jo shared findings about the protective nature of social capital after the flood, for example, how increasing social connectedness and belonging can help. Head to our website to see a summary of our findings so far.
Lismore City Councillor Elly Bird from Lismore Helping Hands shared the inspiring story of the community-led volunteering effort that took place after the 2017 flood. This presentation complemented our research about social capital and the importance of taking extra care for those who are more vulnerable to climate impacts.
Jen Haberecht from the Department of Primary Industries Rural Resilience Program is doing some fantastic work with fire and drought affected communities across NSW. One program she has been championing ‘Women on the Land’ attracted more than 100 local women who are now actively planning how they will keep building their resilience to extreme weather.
Special thanks to Megan Passey and Jo longman for their support in planning for this plenary. We couldn’t have done it without this leadership.
Thanks to those from the UCRH who attended this session
Maddy Braddon
Research Assistant
