Socioeconomic and health impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations

Impact: Other impacts

Description of impact

This collaborative team has provided research impact, with large outreach and media engagement. The team has conducted research on how vulnerable communities, including the aged, those at risk of violence, and informal carers of unwell people, are often at risk of economic disadvantage due to climate change. The purpose of this research was to conduct innovative research on the socioeconomic impacts of climate change on health, particularly in vulnerable communities.

This multi-disciplinary team has provided significant research impact on how vulnerable communities are at risk of socioeconomic disadvantage. Our aim was to provide evidence to support these groups through government policies.
Our team included researchers across Faculties (FSE, MBS) universities (UNSW), government (Bureau of Meteorology) and NGOs (Carers NSW). The team spans career stages, from ECRs to professors. Projects cross traditional academic boundaries, from costs to informal carers, to costs of climate change. The team used Australian Bureau of Statistics data to project the socioeconomic impact of informal caring. These people, particularly those from vulnerable communities, are also at risk of extreme climate events such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, and bush fire.

Stakeholder Carers NSW, described the impact.

“The research provides solid evidence of the economic case for programs supporting carers. Governments and employers rely on this kind of data to be sure of the viability and value of such programs.”

The team’s major contribution has been to link two fields of research: health economics, and impacts of climate change, addressing an international research gap.

Impact date1 Jan 2015 → 30 Oct 2019
Category of impactOther impacts
Impact levelEngagement

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