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Resilient health systems: preparing for climate disasters and other emergencies

Gerard J FitzGerald, Anthony Capon and Peter Aitken
Med J Aust 2019; 210 (7): . || doi: 10.5694/mja2.50115
Published online: 15 April 2019

A system that integrates all aspects of health care is essential for facing future challenges

After another Australian summer of record‐breaking temperatures, bushfires, floods and widespread drought, it is clear that our health systems should be strengthened to cope with the challenges of climate change. We must also reduce the carbon footprint of health care,1 and continue to advocate that Australia play its part in dealing with the fundamental causes of climate change. In May, the 21st biennial congress of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) will be hosted by Brisbane. The congress will bring together investigators and practitioners from around the world to discuss disaster health care, future risks, community vulnerabilities, and the strategies required by resilient health systems.


  • 1 Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD
  • 2 Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
  • 3 Health Disaster Management Unit, Queensland Health, Brisbane, QLD


Correspondence: gj.fitzgerald@qut.edu.au

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

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