Page 46 - Tropic Magazine Issue 19

TROPIC • HEALTH

Small changes,

big impact

ADVICE
Tropic health columnist Dr
Alexandra Bernhardi asks:
how does climate change
affect our health?
Obviously, you will be more affected
Climate change is a growing concern by climate change if your health
for Australians. However, it is is already struggling. Therefore, if
mostly discussed in the context of you address and tackle your current This list goes on and on but I am sure
political decisions and economic lifestyle issues now (sleep, diet, weight,
considerations. Whether you’re against stress, exercise) your health will be the message is clear: Decreasing your
or in favour of coal mines, global more robust and you will become personal carbon footprint reduces
greenhouse gases and improves your
warming will lead to more severe and more resilient towards environmental
frequent heatwaves, natural disasters changes. health and well-being at the same time.
Even though the amount of our
and increasing air pollution. These Luckily, by improving our current
effects cause a multitude of health lifestyle factors we are also mitigating individual action might appear
challenges, including: the very same factors that are driving minuscule compared to the big
climate change drivers, we should not
• Dehydration and heat strokes climate change:
(especially in children and older • If you buy and eat whole food that underestimate the combined power of
millions. Similar to other diseases –
people) is grown locally, you are reducing
• Worsening of heart and lung the carbon imprint caused by like dementia which I have discussed
conditions in people already on transportation while at the same time previously in my Tropic column – climate
change has many causes and there are
medication providing more nutrients for your
• Acute asthma attacks and other body many angles to help our planet and
ourselves. As explorer Robert Swan said:
breathing problems • If you avoid processed foods in
• More severe outbreaks of “gastro” general, you reduce the production of “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief
• Spread of dengue fever and other packaging and waste of food wraps that someone else will save it.”
mosquito transmitted illnesses while at the same time avoiding
• Increase of infections transmitted harmful toxins Best wishes,
through contaminated soil and • If you walk or use your bicycle Dr Alex
surface water (such as melioidosis) whenever possible, you are reducing
• Rise of mental health issues emissions and air pollution while at
(depression, anxiety) after the same time reigning in the health MORE: doctoralex.com.au
traumatic events benefits of physical exercise

Dr Phoebe Hong
A specialist Obstetrician and
Gynaecologist combining
international experience with a
local sensibility
• Gynaecology services
• Advanced laparoscopic surgery
• Obstetrics and high risk pregnancy

www.drphoebehong.com.au Level 2 Cairns Central Plaza
58-62, McLeod St. Cairns

46 • Tropic • Issue 19
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