Work

Demographic differences in Australia’s local government adaptation planning for health and climate change

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives Adaptation planning is needed at all levels of government to limit the adverse impacts of climate change on public health. This study aims to examine adaptation planning with a health focus at the local government level in Australia. Methods All 541 Australian local governments were contacted by email, and their websites were searched to determine which had a climate change adaptation plan. These plans were analysed for their health-word content. Results Almost one-quarter (23%, 124/541) of Australian local governments had a climate change adaptation plan. A larger proportion of urban local governments had plans when compared with rural local governments (41% vs 8%, P < 0.001). Local governments with plans had less socioeconomic disadvantage (P < 0.001), and a higher proportion of local governments in the states of Victoria (53%) and Tasmania (48%) had plans when compared with elsewhere (6–29%, P < 0.001). All plans mentioned health-related words, but some words, such as vector and mosquito, were mentioned in less than 50% of plans. Conclusions Australia’s local governments differ in adaptation planning for health and climate change, with just under a quarter having produced a plan, and the extent and nature of health content are highly variable.

Source: Public Health Research & Practice

DOI: 10.1071/pu24028

Authors: Barbara P. F. Davis, Paul J. Beggs, Petra L. Graham

Institution: Macquarie University

Language: English

Topic: Climate Change and Health Impacts

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Sustainable cities and communities, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4412923320