Report editions
Newer releases
This release
Australian bushfires 2019–20: exploring the short-term health impacts
Australian bushfires 2019–20: exploring the short-term health impacts
Publication
Release Date:
Topic: Environment & health
Citation
AIHW
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2020) Australian bushfires 2019–20: exploring the short-term health impacts, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 29 April 2024.
APA
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2020). Australian bushfires 2019–20: exploring the short-term health impacts. Canberra: AIHW.
MLA
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australian bushfires 2019–20: exploring the short-term health impacts. AIHW, 2020.
Vancouver
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australian bushfires 2019–20: exploring the short-term health impacts. Canberra: AIHW; 2020.
Harvard
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020, Australian bushfires 2019–20: exploring the short-term health impacts, AIHW, Canberra.
PDF | 3.4Mb
Newer release available
The 2019–20 bushfire season saw unprecedented fires sweep across Australia with a massive impact on many communities, devastating the natural environment and compromising air quality. This report examines a range of health data sources to assess the short-term health impacts of the bushfires, including: emergency department visits, prescription and purchase of asthma medicines, mental health service use and GP visits. Results show clear associations between increased bushfire activity, including poor air quality, and people seeking assistance for their health.
- ISBN: 978-1-76054-727-1
- Cat. no: PHE 276
- Pages: 47
Findings from this report:
-
Sales and dispensing of inhalers for shortness of breath increased in bushfire-affected regions.
-
There was a clear association between poor air quality and emergency department visits for respiratory health in NSW.