Most Australians doubt health system is ready for climate-related emergencies, national survey finds
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Most Australians recognize climate change as a serious national issue, and many believe it poses a serious risk to their personal health, according to new research led by the Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI) at Macquarie University and published in the Medical Journal of Australia.
The AU-CLARITY study, one of the largest national surveys of its kind, found that 65% of Australians are concerned about climate change and 45% believe it poses a serious risk to their personal health. Just 37% believe the Australian health system is prepared to respond to climate-related health emergencies.
The research surveyed 6,030 adults from every Australian state and territory and examined public attitudes toward climate change, perceived health risks, trust in the health system and views on health system preparedness. Data were collected between June and August 2025.
Professor Jeffrey Braithwaite, founding director of AIHI and senior author of the study, said the findings highlight an important disconnect.
"Australians increasingly recognize climate change as a health issue, but many are uncertain about what it means for them personally and for the health care services they rely on," Braithwaite said.
"This gap matters. Climate change is already increasing demand on health care through heat waves, floods, bushfires and mental health impacts, and every forecast shows this will intensify.
"Understanding public perceptions is essential if we are to prepare the system and communicate risk effectively."
The study found that experience counts. More than 60% of respondents had been affected by a climate-related event, and those experiences were strongly associated with greater awareness of climate-related health risks.
However, regional and remote Australians were less likely than metropolitan residents to perceive climate change as a threat to their own health. The study also found that women and First Nations Australians were more likely to recognize climate-related health risks, with women more likely to view the health system as unprepared for future climate-related emergencies.
The findings suggest opportunities for governments and public health agencies to target communication about climate-related health risks and strengthen public understanding of health system preparedness.
Co-lead author Dr. K-lynn Smith, AIHI, said the findings underscore the need for targeted public communication, climate-ready health services and policy responses that prioritize vulnerable groups.
Braithwaite emphasized that climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a health system issue.
"Preparing hospitals, primary care, the health workforce and communities must be a national priority," he said.
Publication details
Jeffrey Braithwaite et al, The AUstralian ‐ CLimate and Health Attitudes, RIsk and Trust in the sYstem ( AU ‐ CLARITY) Study: A National, Representative Survey, Medical Journal of Australia (2026). DOI: 10.5694/mja2.70293
Journal information: Medical Journal of Australia
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Preventive medicineCommon illnesses & Prevention Provided by Macquarie University Who's behind this story?
Swati Mestri
Swati Mestri holds a bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering and has worked as a content editor since 2019. She has experience editing research documents across technology, health care, and materials science, and has a particular interest in technology and space. Full profile →
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This content was originally published on The Macquarie University Lighthouse.
Citation: Most Australians doubt health system is ready for climate-related emergencies, national survey finds (2026, September 17) retrieved 17 September 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-australians-health-ready-climate-emergencies.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.