Australia’s health system is still unprepared for harm caused by bushfire smoke, despite lessons that should have been learned from the last mega-fire season.

A report by The Global Climate and Health Alliance released last week warns the health threat will get worse unless governments support communities and health systems to step up.

Bushfire smoke is particularly harmful for unborn babies, children, the elderly and people with existing medical conditions.

Studies among firefighters have shown that lung function can return to normal but the cumulative impact of repeat exposure is unknown.