Extreme Heat Awareness Day
This week we supported Extreme Heat Awareness Day, which highlights the physical and mental health impacts of extreme heat.
Federal AMA Public Health Chair, Dr Michael Bonning, and AMA member, Dr Kim Loo, also joined a national conversation on the health impacts of rising temperatures at an event (Hot City, Cool People) on the 5 February at Parramatta Town Hall.
The day and associated events highlight an escalating but often overlooked threat: extreme heat as a “silent health crisis” affecting Australians with increasing severity. As climate change drives more frequent, intense and prolonged heatwaves, the health system is already witnessing increased impacts to physical and mental health.
The federal AMA was one of the first organisations of its kind to take a stand on climate change more than 20 years ago and is bringing clinical insight into discussions on climate change and its targets.
We have called for urgent national action to protect vulnerable communities and build a climate‑resilient health system.