Recently, RACGP has released its position regarding climate change and its possible effects on human health.
The statement provides that the effects of human activity on climate foster as well as the urgency of the threat brought by climate change on human health.
RACGP also recognised that climate change is a relevant key issue that GPs should intervene largely in helping the public understand the possible risks and consequences it may bring.
The highlights of the statement released by RACGP:
· Institutionalise different alleviation and adjustment strategies for the benefit of GPs, healthcare organisations, and communities.
· Highlights the significance of general practice research for GPs knowledge on climate change
· Recommend different public policies that would ensure the protection of human health brought about by climate change at different levels.
According to GP Dr. Rosalie Schultz, one of the authors of the statement, climate change is the most alarming threat to human health in the 21st century.
The different effects to human health could be categorised into two: short-term and long-term effects which could also be translated into a classification of consequences: environmental, physical and mental.
Dr. Schultz stated that the increasing amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide and methane is detrimental to the earth systems. Climate change is due to the heat retention near the earth’s surface bringing alterations to the weather system of the earth in general.
She added that high temperatures could directly affect individuals who are working outdoors such as agriculture and tourism.
Moreover, climate change is proven to have also its contributions to heightening mental health problems. Primarily, it is associated with alterations with climate and environments.
The question is how could general practice intervene in alleviating the unfavourable effects of climate change to human health?
According to Dr. Schultz, the quick answer to such a question is that GP intervention could be in different areas.
She added that general practice intervention could not only benefit healthcare but could also help in the reduction of greenhouse emission.
Through this perspective, GPs are perceived to not only contribute to the provision of high-quality care for patients, keeping them sound and healthy which would reduce their tendency to go to the hospital but also incorporate different good practices for their patients.
By suggesting different environmental practices done by GPs to the patients, reduction of waste and promotion of efficient management could be considered as a good way of educating people regarding climate change.
Among the good practices that GPs’ do is active transport. Active transport involves walking or cycling that could be beneficial not to the environment as it halts greenhouse gas emissions but could also improve health. Moreover, preferences over foods that also promote health and contribute less to greenhouse emission is a must. Examples of which are the following: drinking tap water instead of bottled ones, consuming less processed foods and food waste reduction.
She added that family doctors could also help in pre-counseling for unwanted pregnancy prevention.
Dr. Schultz is hoping that the RACGP position statement could not be misinterpreted and provides a clear message regarding the relationship between climate change and human health.
She added that RACGP’s reputation is relevant to the advocacy for awareness on climate change and health.
She also told that the overflow information in this current era could also bring about inaccuracies of messages and information delivered.
Considering the role of GPs in Australia, their intervention as educator, advisor, counselor, and advocate for the proper knowledge on climate change and health.
Primarily, the RACGP’s position statement highlights the benefits of proactive change and steps in addressing climate change. Through this, GPs could also employ their additional roles in encouraging the people in Australia and around the world to step up in minimising the effects of the said phenomena.
