Most Australians recognise climate change as a serious national issue and many believe it poses a serious risk to their personal health, according to major new research led by the Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI) at Macquarie University and published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

The AU-CLARITY study, one of the largest national surveys of its kind, found that 65 per cent of Australians are concerned about climate change and 45 per cent believe it poses a serious risk to their personal health. Just 37 per cent believe the Australian health system is prepared to respond to climate-related health emergencies.

The research surveyed 6,030 adults from every Australian state and territory and examined public attitudes to climate change, perceived health risks, trust in the health system and views on health system preparedness. Data were collected between June and August 2025.

Professor Jeffrey Braithwaite, Founding Director of AIHI and senior author on the study, said the findings highlight an important disconnect.

“Australians increasingly recognise climate change as a health issue, but many are uncertain about what it means for them personally and for the healthcare services they rely on,” Professor Braithwaite said.

“This gap matters. Climate change is already increasing demand on healthcare through heatwaves, floods, bushfires and mental health impacts and every forecast shows this will intensify.”

“Understanding public perceptions is essential if we are to prepare the system and communicate risk effectively,” he said.

The study found that experience counts. More than 60 per cent of respondents had been affected by a climate-related event and those experiences were strongly associated with greater awareness of the climate-related health risks.

However regional and remote Australians were less likely than metropolitan residents to perceive climate change as a threat to their own health. The study also found that women and First Nations Australians were more likely to recognise climate-related health risks, with women more likely to view the health system as unprepared for future climate-related emergencies.

The findings suggest opportunities for governments and public health agencies to target communication about climate-related health risks and strengthen public understanding of health system preparedness.

Co-lead author, Dr K-lynn Smith, AIHI, said the findings underscore the need for targeted public communication, climate-ready health services, and policy responses that prioritise vulnerable groups.

Professor Braithwaite emphasised that climate change is not only an environmental issue, but also a health system issue.

“Preparing hospitals, primary care, the health workforce and communities must be a national priority,” he said.

Find out more about the The AU-CLARITY study.