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March report for Environment, Climate and Health
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Good News
New air quality monitoring equipment has been purchased and installed at RSPH. This project is funded by the CHM Bushfire Impact Response grant to Sotiris Vardoulakis.
Outreach and engagement
Robyn Lucas and Sotiris Vardoulakis have given presentation on ANU’s bushfire response and public health to the Department of Health, at an outreach and engagement event organised by PHXchange.
The Bushfire Smoke Factsheets have been translated into 12 languages – translations are available here: https://rsph.anu.edu.au/phxchange/communicating-science/how-protect-yourself-and-others-bushfire-smoke
Sotiris Vardoulakis gave a podcast on bushfire smoke exposure and health effects to the MJA:
and to the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association:
https://ahha.asn.au/health-advocate-podcast
Media releases/interest
Sotiris has given a number of media interviews (ABC News TV and Radio, and online articles) in relation with the publication of the MJA bushfire smoke article.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/calla-for-national-action-on-bushfire-smoke-health
https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/wellbeing/2020/02/24/air-pollution-bushfires/
New staff
Amelia Joshy has joined the group recently to work part-time on the Marshall Islands Climate Change and Health project.
Daniela Espinoza Oyarce has joined the group recently to work part-time on the Antioxidant Supplementation and Air Pollution systematic review.
Karin English has joined the PFAS Health Study Team. She is a public health registrar.
Other news
Sotiris Vardoulakis has taken over the leadership of the ECH group. Huge thanks to Robyn Lucas for her leadership and support in this role over many years.
Papers accepted/published:
Vardoulakis S, Jalaludin B, Morgan GG, Hanigan IC, Johnston FH. 2020. Bushfire smoke: urgent need for a national health protection strategy. Medical Journal of Australia. DOI:10.5694/mja2.50511
Vardoulakis S., Marks G., Abramson M.J., 2020. Lessons learned from the Australian fires in the context of climate change, air pollution and health. JAMA Internal Medicine (in press)
Pettigrew S, Parnell A, Strickland M, Neale R, Lucas RM. The potential of ultraviolet radiation meters in secondary schools as a sun protection intervention mechanism for adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (accepted 9 Feb 2020)
Progress on research projects
Consultancy to prepare a National Climate Change and Health Policy (NCCHP) and Revised Action Plan for the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), led by Sotiris Vardoulakis. First mission to Majuro, RMI, completed and three project deliverables submitted in February.
