RACP climate change chronic illness carbon tax

Carbon tax could impact on health of poorer Australians

A CARBON tax could discourage lower-income Australians from taking their medication and from eating healthily, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) has warned. The college, which represents 13,500 physicians and 5000 trainees, said it supported measures to fight climate change but the Government must have those most “susceptible” to increased costs of living as a priority as it pursued efforts to place a price on carbon emissions. “The Government needs to acknowledge that the rising prices and higher cost of living are known to lead to reduced health spending, with families cutting back on healthy food ...