A long-term study into the health and wellbeing of community members affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires, is being led by the University of Melbourne. The study aims to capture a diversity of experiences including those directly or indirectly affected by the tragic bushfires in February 2009, in rural communities across Victoria. Researchers have launched the study in response to a need for evidence-based research to better support the development of policy and service delivery for fire affected families and communities over time. Dr Lisa Gibbs of the University’s School of Population Health and McCaughey Centre said it is hoped the results of the study will be applied into policies to help communities and services with strategies to improve recovery in future catastrophes. Read More
