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Bushfire Smoke and Children’s Health—Exploring a Communication Gap

Author

Listed:
  • Erin I. Walsh

    (Population Health Exchange, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Ginny Sargent

    (Population Health Exchange, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Burcu Cevik-Compiegne

    (Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Michelle Roberts

    (Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Nicola Palfrey

    (Headspace Australia, 1/1 Torrens St. Braddon, Canberra, ACT 2612, Australia)

  • Laura Gooyers-Bourke

    (Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Sotiris Vardoulakis

    (Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) National Research Network
    National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Karima Laachir

    (Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

Abstract

The “Black Summer” bushfires of 2019/2020 in Australia generated smoke that persisted for over three months, mainly affecting Eastern Australia. Most communication strategies focused on the fire itself, revealing a knowledge gap in effective communication of the impact of bushfire smoke on health, especially for children and those living in non-English speaking minority groups. To address this, semi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken with sixteen adults with caring ( n = 11) or educational ( n = 5) responsibilities for primary-school aged children (5–12 years, with some also having children up to 16 years) who had direct experience of the “Black Summer” bushfires. Overall, 43% ( n = 7) of the sample spoke English as a first language, 25% ( n = 4) spoke Turkish, with the remainder speaking Persian, Arabic, and Spanish. Thematic inductive qualitative content analysis revealed predominant themes of the role of parents and caregivers as conduits and curators of information. Air quality apps were the most common source of information. Language barriers and the lack of child-friendly methods of communication were highlighted as particular challenges. This qualitative study provides evidence for future development of communication strategies to better serve culturally and linguistically diverse individuals and the children in their care.

Suggested Citation

  • Erin I. Walsh & Ginny Sargent & Burcu Cevik-Compiegne & Michelle Roberts & Nicola Palfrey & Laura Gooyers-Bourke & Sotiris Vardoulakis & Karima Laachir, 2022. "Bushfire Smoke and Children’s Health—Exploring a Communication Gap," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12436-:d:929311
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Christine T. Cowie & Amanda J. Wheeler & Joy S. Tripovich & Ana Porta-Cubas & Martine Dennekamp & Sotiris Vardoulakis & Michele Goldman & Melissa Sweet & Penny Howard & Fay Johnston, 2021. "Policy Implications for Protecting Health from the Hazards of Fire Smoke. A Panel Discussion Report from the Workshop Landscape Fire Smoke: Protecting Health in an Era of Escalating Fire Risk," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Jason J. Sharples & Geoffrey J. Cary & Paul Fox-Hughes & Scott Mooney & Jason P. Evans & Michael-Shawn Fletcher & Mike Fromm & Pauline F. Grierson & Rick McRae & Patrick Baker, 2016. "Natural hazards in Australia: extreme bushfire," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 139(1), pages 85-99, November.
    3. Emily Heaney & Laura Hunter & Angus Clulow & Devin Bowles & Sotiris Vardoulakis, 2021. "Efficacy of Communication Techniques and Health Outcomes of Bushfire Smoke Exposure: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-14, October.
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