A new scoping review authored by a UCRH medical student, supported by UCRH staff and a colleague from the University of Sydney’s School of Veterinary Science has shone light on the need to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and the environment.
The work has been published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science under the title Are we joining the One Health dots? A scoping review of research on the one health effects of extreme weather events in eastern Australia.
The article explores how extreme weather events like floods, bushfires, cyclones, and droughts are becoming more frequent in eastern Australia. These events impact not only our health but also the well-being of animals and ecosystems.
The article’s authors conducted a review using a ‘One Health’ approach, which considers all these factors together. The study highlights the need for more comprehensive research to guide effective responses and policies in extreme weather emergencies.
In particular, the article makes clear that with extreme weather events on the rise, it’s crucial to understand how they affect ecosystems, animals, and human health. In Australia, most studies focus on floods, wildfires, and their impact on diseases that can pass from animals to humans, and on mental health. However a broader approach is needed to create effective emergency policies and plans.
