Climate preparedness in very remote desert communities

This project builds on the rationale that the current “one-size-fits-all” climate health impact analysis and adaptation approach that does not consider the unique characteristics of desert communities, and the existing PHC service provider challenges will exacerbate climate change related health impacts.
The overall goal of the project is to co-design, implement and evaluate effective adaptation solutions relevant for very remote desert communities. Evidence to inform the co-design process will be multifaceted and include: in-depth synthesis of the lived and living experiences of Aboriginal people residing in the participating desert communities; a citizen science approach to collecting environmental data in very remote communities; qualitative analysis of PHC staff experiences and observations of health effects of extreme weather; and quantitative analyses of patterns of association between extreme temperatures and PHC utilisation in desert communities. The project findings will allow jurisdictional and national translation of evidence about effective strategies for responding to climate change in low resource desert communities.