Extreme weather heightens rural health risks

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine says increasingly severe weather events are placing growing strain on health services in rural, remote and First Nations communities.

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says prolonged flooding, heatwaves and other extreme conditions are already driving higher rates of illness, injury and mental health concerns, particularly among older Australians and those with chronic conditions.

He says rural and remote health services are often the first—and only—point of care during emergencies, despite operating with limited workforce capacity and facing prolonged recovery demands.

Dr Martin is calling for Rural Generalists to be formally embedded in disaster planning and for greater support of the rural medical workforce, saying protecting local health professionals is essential to safeguarding the communities they serve.