Air pollution is a major and growing threat to human health, contributing to respiratory disease, adverse childhood health outcomes, and climate change. This webinar will explore the key sources of both outdoor and indoor air pollution, including traffic emissions, bushfire smoke, gas appliances, wood heaters, and other common household exposures.
Presenters will examine the impacts of air pollution on lung health across the lifespan, with a particular focus on children and young people, who are especially vulnerable to its effects.
The session will also discuss the interconnected relationship between air quality, climate change, and health. Practical strategies to reduce patient exposure will be reviewed, alongside an update on environmentally sustainable respiratory care, including low-carbon inhaler prescribing. The webinar will also mark the RACGP’s support for the Idle Off campaign.
Learning outcomes
1. Recognise the health effects of indoor and outdoor air pollution across the lifespan, with particular consideration of respiratory health and the vulnerability of children and young people.
2. Incorporate evidence-based approaches into general practice to minimise the health impacts of air pollution, including exposure reduction advice, sustainable prescribing practices, and support for community-level prevention initiatives.
Facilitator:
Dr Nicole Sleeman – Chair, RACGP Specific Interests Climate and Environmental Medicine
Speakers:
Dr Tim Jones – Chair, RACGP Specific Interests Child and Young Person’s Health
Dr Kerry Hancock – Chair RACGP Specific Interests Respiratory Medicine
Dr Seung Baek – Chair of Doctors for the Environment Australia, Victoria
Dr Clare Walter – Sustainable Health & Environment Network, Deakin University and co-founder of IdleOff in Australia
Prof Louis Irving – Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Physician
