The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) has joined more than 30 leading health and medical organisations in supporting the release today of a national strategy to combat health impacts that can be attributable to our environment.
The Framework for a National Strategy on Climate, Health and Well-being for Australia was launched at Parliament House this morning by the Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA), together with organisations including the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Following a year-long national consultation process, the framework details seven areas for reform including the phasing out of coal and how to best manage the health consequences of extreme weather events such as thunderstorm asthma.
ACN Chief Executive Officer, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN, agreed that environmental changes around the globe could pose a significant risk to humans’ physical and mental health.
“The Australian College of Nursing is a long-standing member of CAHA and has been involved in the consultation process surrounding the development of the framework,” Adjunct Professor Ward said.
“ACN believes that nurses have a shared responsibility to advocate to sustain and protect the environment which in turn safeguards human health,” she said.
“Preparedness lies at the core. As further extreme climate events present the greatest acute threats, Australia’s nurse workforce should be well supported to quickly adapt to our environment and prepare for such events to promote and protect community health and well-being.”
ACN CEO, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN, The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, and Dr Elizabeth Hanna FACN, President of the Climate and Health Alliance at the launch of the Framework for a National Strategy on Climate, Health and Well-being for Australia at Parliament House in Canberra.
