Community Health and Wellbeing Survey: Five years after the 2019-20 bushfires
Our Community Health and Wellbeing Survey: Five years after the 2019-20 bushfires closed on Sunday 13 July. Thank you to all the community members across Clarence Valley, Eurobodalla and Tenterfield in NSW, and East Gippsland in Victoria, who took the time to share their health and wellbeing experience before, during and after the 2019/20 bushfires.
Later this year, we’ll share the survey findings and, where possible, provide a breakdown by Local Government Area to support ongoing health and wellbeing initiatives. The findings will help distinguish between short-term crisis responses and the sustained health needs that persist in the years following major bushfire events.
Making a difference through research
Monash University public health researchers are leading a major study, as part of the Fire to Flourish program, to understand how the 2019-2020 bushfires have affected the health and wellbeing of residents in Eurobodalla, Tenterfield, Clarence Valley, and East Gippsland. It is the first population wide cross-sectional survey to measure the ongoing health and other impacts of a major bushfire season in regional Australia.
The experience and insights of people living in these areas are critical to improve the health care and support services available before, during and after bushfire events. Participation in the survey will directly influence future recovery strategies and improve health care access for regional communities affected by major disaster events.
A new approach
The landscape of post-bushfire research in Australia has significant gaps. Previous studies, while valuable, have overlooked crucial elements of community involvement and diverse perspectives on community health and recovery. We've noticed some important gaps and that’s why we have developed a survey that:
- Puts community first by including residents in the survey design process
- Takes a broader view by studying health impacts across entire communities
- Looks at the long-term picture by seeking to understand people’s experiences five years after the bushfires
- Makes sure everyone's voice is heard, especially First Nations peoples and diverse community groups
- Helps healthcare workers identify what services are needed most
- Shares findings directly back with participating communities
- Creates valuable data that local organisations can use to secure resources
Why your voice matters
Your experience and insights are important and will help to:
- Improve health care services in bushfire-prone areas, including improved access before, during, and after bushfires
- Shape future recovery strategies in your community and region
- Create better support systems for communities affected by disasters
This project is part of the Fire to Flourish program, a partnership between Monash University and your local government area. Together, we're working to understand the distinctive needs of regional communities affected by the bushfire season of five years ago.