Health Australia (Commonwealth Union) – Bushfires, also known as wildfires, have become a global concern due to their destructive power and increasing frequency, often exacerbated by climate change. These infernos wreak havoc on ecosystems, communities, and economies.
Bushfires have occurred naturally for millions of years, sparked by lightning strikes. However, human activities have significantly increased their incidence. The majority of bushfires today result from human actions, such as discarded cigarette butts, campfires left unattended, or arson. Land clearing and inadequate fire management practices can also contribute. Bushfires can decimate entire ecosystems, destroying habitats and endangering plant and animal species. Some species have even been driven to the brink of extinction due to these fires. The smoke produced by bushfires contains harmful particulate matter that can lead to respiratory problems and other health issues for people exposed to it.
As climate change-driven extreme weather events, including increasingly frequent and severe bushfires, become more prevalent, a team of experts led by researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) is advocating for the development of a global research plan to comprehensively understand the short- and long-term impacts on maternal-child health.
The primary focus of this research team centers on the health consequences of the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires on mothers as well as their babies. Professor Christopher Nolan, leading the endeavor, expressed concerns about the rising frequency of such events and emphasized the urgent need for greater understanding.
Professor Christopher Nolan indicated that, we are regrettably, bound to encounter an increasing number of these occurrences. He cited the recent sight of New York engulfed in smoke as a consequence of Canadian wildfires—a distressingly familiar scenario for many Australians.
Professor Deborah Davis noted, “During our study on the 2019-2020 bushfires, women we interviewed were in dire need of information concerning the potential effects of the fires and smoke on their pregnancies, yet such information was alarmingly scarce.”
The authors of the study acknowledge the formidable challenge of obtaining unequivocal evidence regarding the immediate and long-term health consequences of these events. Professor Nolan emphasized the necessity of preplanning to ensure a swift and high-quality study to yield answers. This entails having a well-structured research plan, securing ethics approvals, and securing funding well in advance of bushfire crises.
The researchers contend that the establishment of an internationally recognized research protocol would represent a significant leap forward in addressing these challenges.
“If everyone is doing research sampling at the same time, for example, or using the same surveys of psychological health, it gives you much greater statistical power,” added Professor Nolan.
“It would allow us to much more clearly answer questions like whether babies and infants exposed to bushfire smoke have a higher risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma.”
The authors of the study assert the necessity of directing special attention towards regions of the world with limited resources, where women and children face the highest levels of vulnerability.
Dr. Amita Bansal emphasized, “It’s essential to prioritize women with pre-existing medical conditions like gestational diabetes, hypertension, or mental health issues, as they are at a heightened risk of adverse effects in these circumstances.”
Additionally, she underscored the significance of focusing on marginalized populations, including Indigenous communities, refugee women, and individuals from sexually and gender diverse groups, who are at increased risk of marginalization and therefore require specific attention.
“It is also crucial to explore how these events impact our youngest generation in life, so that timely action can be taken to prevent any long-term effects on health.
“Prevention and recovery response strategies need to be developed with gender-equitable policies in mind that empower women.”
This collaborative research effort involves experts from ANU, the University of Canberra, and Canberra Hospital, and their findings have been published in The Lancet Planetary Health.
