AirRater is a free environmental health smartphone app developed and available in Australia that collects individual health data and disseminates environmental hazard information to populations. Following previous evaluations with app users, the aim of this study was to better understand how clinicians, government agency and non-government advocacy group representatives perceive an app designed to reduce the impacts of environmental hazards on individual and public health. Nine government agency and non-government advocacy group representatives, along with 11 clinicians based in Australia participated in a semi-structured interview or focus group to explore perspectives on AirRater.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Climate change is projected to increase environmental health hazard risks through fire-related air pollution and increased airborne pollen levels. To protect vulnerable populations, it is imperative that evidence-based and accessible interventions are available. The environmental health app, AirRater, was developed in 2015 in Australia to provide information on multiple atmospheric health hazards in near real time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The long-term health effects of bushfires include the potential to trigger new and exacerbate existing mental health problems.
Objective: This review aimed to determine the prevalence of long-term mental health issues in Australian populations exposed to bushfires.
Method: A systematic search was conducted in five databases (Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science) to identify studies focusing on Australian populations impacted by bushfires with the prevalence of mental health issues reported at 2+ years after bushfire.
AirRater is a free smartphone app developed in 2015, supporting individuals to protect their health from environmental hazards. It does this by providing (i) location-specific and near real-time air quality, pollen and temperature information and (ii) personal symptom tracking functionality. This research sought to evaluate user perceptions of AirRater's usability and effectiveness.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
April 2018
A complex, whole-of-economy issue such as climate change demands an interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral response. However, evidence suggests that human health has remained elusive in its influence on the development of ambitious climate change mitigation policies for many national governments, despite a recognition that the combustion of fossil fuels results in pervasive short- and long-term health consequences. We use insights from literature on the political economy of health and climate change, the science–policy interface and power in policy-making, to identify additional barriers to the meaningful incorporation of health co-benefits into climate change mitigation policy development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
September 2016
Reducing domestic carbon dioxide and other associated emissions can lead to short-term, localized health benefits. Quantifying and incorporating these health co-benefits into the development of national climate change mitigation policies may facilitate the adoption of stronger policies. There is, however, a dearth of research exploring the role of health co-benefits on the development of such policies.
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