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Preventive Medicine 2018
Journal of Preventive Medicine
ISSN: 2572-5483
Page 26
July 16-17, 2018
London, UK
9
th
Edition of International Conference on
Preventive Medicine
& Public Health
C
urrent climate trends of extreme temperature and
humidity during summer present a public health dilemma
in Zimbabwe and other developing countries. National and
local governments have defined roles to protect the health of
populations under their jurisdictions as stipulated in relevant
policies. The involvement of public health practitioners
in policy development and management of heat-related
illnesses is vital for the protection of the public, particularly
vulnerable groups. The current role of health providers in
developing countries regarding climate change impacts on
health is considered suboptimal. Focus group interviews
with public health practitioners and policy makers in the
city of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe showed that officials lacked
knowledge and awareness regarding heat-related impacts
on health, particularly in relation to differences in individual
susceptibility and currently employed heat adaptation and
coping mechanisms.
Biography
Bigboy Ngwenya a PhD candidate completing this June 2018 from Edith
Cowan University. My background spans the field of public health, environ-
mental health, occupational health and safety and health promotion. I have
done programs and projects in tertiary institutions, Government Depart-
ments, local authorities and Non-Governmental Organisations in developing
countries and Australia. Current research interests are on climate change
impacts - on human health in developing countries.
b.ngwenya@ecu.edu.auEmerging heat-related climate change influences; a public
health challenge to health care practitioners and policy
makers: Insight from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Bigboy Ngwenya
Edith Cowan University, Australia
Bigboy Ngwenya, J Prev Med 2018, Volume 3
DOI: 10.21767/2572-5483-C1-002