Our Work Key Areas of Interest

Key Areas of Interest

Here are some of the key special interest groups and committees where DEA members work to influence multi-sector change in Australia.

Air pollution

Better air quality reduces illness and death from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases, such as asthma. Links to diabetes and impaired infant growth are increasingly recognised. Policies to support reducing the combustion of fossil fuels through cleaner transport and power generation, are needed to reduce key sources of outdoor air pollution. Our Air Pollution Special Interest Group(SIG) members seek to support policies and programs to improve the health of all Australians through better protection of clean air.

To get involved contact Dr Ben Ewald or Dr Sujata Allan at: admin@dea.org.au

Biodiversity

Natural ecosystems support our health by filtering our air, providing fresh water and food, regulating our climate, directly improving human health and protecting against the spread of disease and pests. To get involved contact admin@dea.org.au

To get involved contact Dr Brooke Ah Shay at: admin@dea.org.au

Diet and agriculture

Food systems generate at least 25% of human GHG emissions, including methane and nitrous oxides. We must now transition to net carbon sequestration, and away from unsustainable land clearing, water extraction, soil wastage, fish depletion and other impacts. This will involve changing our diets. Doctors everywhere are in a strong position to bring about change, advocating diets that are healthier both for patients and for the planet. To get involved contact Dr Michael Schien: admin@dea.org.au

Healthy Investment

Investing in industries that cause harm to human health is incompatible with a doctor’s duty of care. This includes not wanting our money, bank or superfund invested in the industries which cause climate change. But personal divestment from fossil fuels is the easy part. How do we use our influence to accelerate the green finance transition? To get involved contact Dr Helen Redmond: admin@dea.org.au

Health and Energy

Health & Energy covers a lot of topics we hear about every day, including Coal, Natural Gas, Renewable Energy, Transport, and The Built Environment. To get involved contact Dr Graeme McLeay at: admin@dea.org.au

Sustainable healthcare

The carbon footprint of Australia’s healthcare sector is estimated at over 7% of Australia’s total emissions. While every sector needs to play its part to limit global warming and environmental degradation, the healthcare sector has an added responsibility (and opportunity) to lead mitigation of emissions and environmental impacts. To get involved contact Dr Eugenie Kayak: admin@dea.org.au

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Medical Education

To find out more contact Dr Sonia Chanchlani: admin@dea.org.au

Mental Health

To find out more contact Dr Cybele Dey or Dr Anna Seth: admin@dea.org.au

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