CORE 1: WHAT ACTIONS ARE NEEDED TO ADDRESS AUSTRALIA’S HEALTH PRIORITIES

building healthy public policy - responsibilities

governments: the creation and maintenance of policies that aim to improve health
communities: contribute towards the development of health policies and are involved in carrying the policies out
individuals: act in accord with the policies delivered

creating supportive environments - responsibilities

governments: responsible for the planning, implementation and management of infrastructure
communities: help maintain healthy environments and promote healthy behaviours
individuals: make better health choices using and maintaining the environment

strenghten community action - responsibilities

government: engage with community groups in the creation of policies
communities: contribute to and take ownership of policies being empowered to act and implement them
individuals: promote community activities that promote health, be involved in community actions

developing personal skills - responsibilities

governments: develop policies and provide funding towards developing personal skills
communities: run education and training programs to develop personal skills in relation to health
individuals: seek to develop their own skills in relation to health, enabled to take charge of their own health

reorient health services - responsibilities

governments: fund, research and create policies around prevention and health promotion
communities: conduct, research and be involved in the promotion of health
individuals: seek to make healthy life choices and help others to do the same

empowering individuals

Ensures their needs are met and empowers them to act in accordance with the promotion

Eg. NSW Health Eating and Active Lifestyle Strategy includes tailored health coaching for adults which allow them to understand how they should modify their lifestyle in order to be healthier → may prompt changes in diet or the level of physical activity they perform

more comprehensive health promotion

Promotes an improved understanding of what best addresses risk factors

Resources are not wasted by different groups working in opposite directions or doing the same thing

Eg. National Road Safety Strategy → govts implement and legislate laws in relation to speeding while communities build amenities such as roundabouts

producing better results

Ensures that the maximal benefit possible → initiatives should complement each other in order to achieve common goals

Eg. National Tobacco Strategy where the government incrementally raises the excise on tobacco, indigenous community groups implement programs about the adverse health effects of tobacco smoking and there are a variety of quitting services available for individuals → led to a decrease in mortality and morbidity of lung cancer

social justice + developing personal skills

equity: Access to education and skill development must be available to everyone eg. NTS - high concentration of anti-smoking advertising campaigns in ATSI communities where smoking rates are high
diversity: the information provided must be relevant to and understood by everyone eg. NTS = leaflets providing information about the health risks are public in multiple languages
supportive environments: Enables people to pass on knowledge and skills to others eg. A parent who is educated about nutrition will teach their children health habits

social justice + creating supportive environments

equity: Increasing access to health care for disadvantaged groups, allowing the environment to support all its members eg. increasing access to health services for people in rural and remote areas

diversity: catering for the diverse needs of the community eg. providing translators in major health centres and hospitals

supportive environments: Creating environments that support healthy decisions so more people will be able to improve their health outcomes. eg. NSW Healthy Eating and Active Living Strategy more cycle lanes and pedestrian amenities are built to make active commuting safer

social justice + strengthening community action

equity: resources need to be equitably distributed between communities by both governments and non-government organisations eg. The Cancer Council hosts morning teas that bring the community together.

diversity: A diverse range of community members must be consulted when developing new health promotion strategies to ensure their needs are met. eg. Involving Indigenous peoples in the development of Indigenous health initiatives.

supportive environments: providing community members with access to facilities and services and opportunities for involvement will allow them to become empowered over their health. eg. Encouraging individuals to attend community and council meetings and opening up the floor.

social justice + reorienting health services

equity: Ensuring everyone has the opportunity to be trained in healthcare. eg Increasing the number of Indigenous Australians trained as health professionals will improve the health outcomes of this group.

diversity: Health services should be culturally sensitive and respect the diverse needs of all people. eg. Health services promoting a healthy diet and physical activity among Indigenous communities to reduce the incidence of diabetes.

supportive environments: Creating environments that promote preventative health behaviours. eg. The Multi Purpose Service Program is available for people living in rural and remote areas.

social justice principles + building healthy public policy

equity: Public policy is designed with the aim of producing equity in health status. eg. PBS

diversity: Public policies need to account for the diversity of the population and provide for all members of society eg. closing the gap

supportive environments: Policy should aim to produce an environment that supports healthy choices. eg. no smoking in pubs and clubs

closing the gap - building healthy public policy

• 2008 - national Indigenous reform agreement

  —> Initiatives which aim to reduce health inequities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous

• National Indigenous representative body was established → funding was provided to upskill Indigenous people in the workforce

closing the gap - creating supportive environments

Training more indigenous health workers in order to create a culturally diverse and comfortable health care system + teachers and educators in remote areas to improve education levels

closing the gap - strengthening community action

• Achieved by involving ATSI people and community groups and elders in making decisions surrounding their health

• Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly represents Indigenous Australians in 16 communities across NSW → ensures that policy decisions made by governments looking to address inequities between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people take into account factors specific to the Indigenous population to maximise their effectiveness

closing the gap - developing personal skills

Increasing ATSI education:

• Means that ATSI people can engage in more protective health behaviours, meaning less reliance on the health system

• Achieved through providing more teachers as well as primary health care services to Indigenous peoples

closing the gap - reorienting health services

• It is essential that a balance is achieved of preventative and curative services

• “Keep Culture, Life and Family Strong - Know Early About Diabetes” resources package represents resources being diverted from curative measures for diabetes towards a preventative diabetes measure in the form of education

national road safety intitative - building healthy public policy

• involves creating and implementing laws, regulations and programs that promote the health and wellbeing of a population
  Several legislations have been introduced in regards to road safety eg. 50km/hr urban speed limit nationwide in Australia

• Penalties have also been put in place for those who do not follow the law → deterrence

national road safety initiative - creating supportive environments

• Creating safer roads by deeming it socially unacceptable to misuse them Eg. “Speeding. No one thinks big of you”

• Also protecting the safety of pedestrians and cyclists eg. school zones → has the subsidiary benefit as making walking and cycling safer promotes a healthy lifestyle

national road safety initiative - strengthening community action

• Taking action to promote their own health

• National Road Safety Week encourages everyone in the community to reflect on their use of the roads and take responsibility for their behaviour

national road safety initiative - developing personal skills

• Involves empowering individuals to promote their health by giving them the knowledge and skills to do so

• Eg. drivers on their Ls must complete 120hrs which allows them to improve their knowledge, driving ability and hazard perception → reduces road fatalities

national road safety intiative - reorienting health services

safer driving means less:

• Road accidents

• Pressure on the health system

• Less need for curative approaches