In a significant advance for integrating climate considerations into health research, the Walter Thomas Cottman Charitable Trust and the Phyllis Connor Memorial Trust, managed by Equity Trustees, have jointly announced their philanthropic support for the ALEC Climate Health initiative, led by Dr Miranda Cumpston.
This collaboration is pioneering an approach to mapping the landscape of climate-related health priorities and research evidence.
Briar Stevens, Trust and Grant Program Manager Environment at Equity Trustees, noted the importance of undertaking this initiative to explore how climate change impacts health.
“We are proud to be taking the first steps in applying a climate lens to our granting with the Walter Thomas Cottman Charitable Trust (medical research focus) and the Phyllis Connor Memorial Trust (health focus) partnering to fund research at the intersection of climate and health,” Stevens said.
In collaboration with Prof Karin Leder, and other colleagues at Monash, the ALEC Climate Health initiative will focus on mapping current priorities and existing research evidence to understand how climate-related factors affect health outcomes. It will provide a dynamic overview of evidence that will guide future practice, research and policy-making.
Karin Sitte, Trust and Grant Program Manager Medical Research and Health at Equity Trustees, highlighted the urgency for evidence-based strategies to address the health challenges posed by climate change, particularly for vulnerable communities.
“Human health and climate are inextricably linked and with the increasing impacts of climate change on Australian communities, it makes sense to support research that synthesises and documents the evidence required to inform health care policy and decision-making into the future,” Sitte said.
By integrating climate considerations into their funding priorities, the Walter Thomas Cottman Charitable Trust and the Phyllis Connor Memorial Trust are leading the way in showing how philanthropic organisations can contribute to tackling health challenges related to climate change.
Prof Tari Turner, ALEC Academic Director, believes this partnership creates the opportunity to build a foundation for long-term, sustainable health practice and policies that are responsive to the evolving climate landscape.
“We’re excited to take on a new challenge at ALEC by applying our living evidence methods to this crucial and impactful area,” Turner said.
The ALEC Climate Health initiative will strive to ensure healthcare systems are equipped to react to emerging challenges and that policies are informed by the latest research.
To keep up with the latest on the ALEC Climate Health initiative, subscribe.