Quandamooka researcher Associate Professor Veronica Matthews is among the group of leading experts, academics and industry representatives appointed to the new Climate and Health Expert Advisory Group.
The Australian Government has established the expert advisory group to provide advice on reducing the impacts of climate change on the nation’s health.
Associate Professor Matthews co-leads the Centre for Research Excellence in Strengthening Systems for Indigenous Health Care Equity (CRE-STRIDE) and is a lead investigator on other key research projects in which UCRH is involved. These include Healing Country, Healthy Air and the Healthy Environment and Lives Network.
Her expertise and interest is in how health care systems can be improved holistically, particularly in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. She places emphasis on the importance of healthy country, listening to and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for place-based solutions.
Noting that the planet’s ill health has largely come about because humans have forgotten their relationship and responsibility to Country, Associate Professor Matthews believes that Aboriginal and Torres Islander philosophies are the key to a sustainable, healthy future for everyone.
“Imagine if we returned to the ways of our ancestors with deep, holistic connections to the environment to help us rethink environmental and health policies,” she said.
The Climate and Health Expert Advisory Group will support implementation of Australia’s first National Health and Climate Strategy, launched at COP28 in Dubai last December by Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney.
The Group held its first meeting recently and will meet at least three times a year.
