National Strategic Framework for Chronic Conditions

SCSA Syllabus Points

Principles of the National Strategic Framework for Chronic Conditions:
- Equity
- Collaboration and Partnerships
- Access
- Evidence-Based
- Person-Centred Approach
- Sustainability
- Accountability and Transparency
- Shared Responsibility
Objectives that Support the Vision of the National Strategic Framework for Chronic Conditions:
- Focus on Prevention for a Healthier Australia.
- Provide Efficient, Effective and Appropriate Care to Support People with Chronic Conditions to Optimize Quality of Life.
- Target Priority Populations

National Health Priority Area 8 prioritised health conditions (chronic diseases) that contributed highly to Australia’s:
- Burden of disease
- Morbidity, mortality & life expectancy
- Can be altered through targeted action
National Strategic Framework for Chronic conditions:
- Overarching policy document for chronic conditions.
- Developed by AIHW to guide government policy, legislation, and funding.
- AIM = Prevention and management of chronic conditions.

Chronic = Complex and multiple causes, generally long term and persistent.
Chronic Condition = A disease or health issue that builds up over time and is long-lasting. They typically take a long time to heal or cannot be healed.
Lead to gradual deterioration of health and loss of independence.

Moves away from a disease-specific approach;
Identifies the key principles for the effective prevention and management of chronic conditions;
Supports a stronger emphasis on coordinated care across the health sector;
Acknowledges and builds on work already in place that supports chronic conditions;
Complements state-based, national, and international policy for chronic conditions;
Accommodates existing and new strategies and policies without changing the responsibilities of the Australian or State and Territory Governments;
Acknowledges the important role that the health sector may take as a leader and advocate in working with other sectors to address the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health; and
Provides flexibility to accommodate future and emerging priorities and allows for innovative solutions for the prevention and management of chronic conditions.

Provides guidance for the development and implementation of policies, strategies, actions, and services to reduce the impact of chronic conditions in Australia.
It aims to better cater for:
- Shared health determinants
- Risk factors, and
- Comorbidities across a range of chronic conditions
Directed at decision-makers and policymakers.

Vision: Australians live healthier lives through effective prevention and management of chronic conditions.
Objectives:
- Focus on prevention for a healthier Australia.
- Provide efficient, effective, and appropriate care to support people with chronic conditions to optimize quality of life.
- Target priority populations

Objective 1: Focus on prevention for a healthier Australia
- SPA1.1: Promote health and reduce risk.
- SPA1.2: Partnerships for health.
- SPA1.3: Critical life stages.
- SPA1.4: Timely and appropriate detection and intervention.
Objective 2: Provide efficient, effective, and appropriate care to support people with chronic conditions to optimize quality of life.
- SPA2.1: Active engagement.
- SPA2.2: Community care.
- SPA2.3: Accessible health services.
- SPA2.4: Information sharing.
- SPA2.5: Supportive systems.
Objective 3: Target priority populations
- SPA3.1: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Health.
- SPA3.2: Action and empowerment.

Governance and leadership
Research
Data and Information
Health Workforce
Health Literacy
Technology
Resources
Seven specific Enablers have been identified that will assist in achieving the Vision of the Framework.
Appropriate use of the Enablers will give effect to successful policies, strategies, actions, and services that will support people with, or at risk of developing, chronic conditions.

Equity
Collaboration and partnerships
Access
Evidence-based
Person-centred approach
Sustainability
Accountability and transparency
Shared responsibility
Eight guiding Principles have been identified to enable the successful prevention and management of chronic conditions for all Australians.
The Principles should be clearly evident in the planning, design, and implementation of policies, strategies, actions, and services aimed at preventing and/or managing all chronic conditions.

Outcomes are described for each Strategic Priority Area.
They describe the result of actions, rather than the actions required, to allow flexibility for partners to develop and implement their own strategies, policies, actions, and services within the boundaries of their specific health responsibilities and governing authorities.
A phased outcome approach has been used to recognise that a continuum of progress is required to meet each objective.
It is acknowledged that relevant partners will be at different stages along this continuum; therefore, timeframes for the achievement of each outcome have not been specified.

Progress should be measured at various levels and is the responsibility of all partners.
Each layer of the framework — the objectives, the strategic priority areas, and the outcomes — contributes to achieving its vision — “All Australians live healthier lives through effective prevention and management of chronic conditions”.
Due to the complexities associated with the prevention and management of chronic conditions, there is no single indicator to determine the impact of the framework.
Rather, a description of what success will look like, and example indicators, have been included at the objective level.
The example indicators may not be a comprehensive list but are provided to demonstrate the information currently available to monitor the impact of collective action.
In addition, partners should monitor their own strategies, policies, actions, or services to ensure that these activities are contributing to the outcomes described in each strategic priority area.