A first of its kind preventative health strategy is set to be launched in WA with the aim of keeping people healthier and out of the state’s hospital system.
Six roundtable events will inform the preventative health strategy, with the first held on January 21.
Around 150 senior representatives across government, non-government organisations, community groups, universities and research institutes will take part in the discussions.
Key health stakeholders including the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), Australian Medical Association, The Kids Research Institute Australia, and Cancer Council WA will be involved.
PHAA acting chief executive Malcolm Baalman told Medical Forum the association hoped the evidence gathered during these sessions would prompt increased financial commitment towards prevention from the state government.
“We hope it feeds into actions the government needs to take to make good on its promise to dedicate 5% of its health budget on prevention by July 2029,” he said.
This goal was outlined in the Sustainable Health Review.
“Properly resourcing prevention programs mean fewer people get sick, that means a better quality of life for everyone, and eases pressure on our hospitals and ambulance services,” he added.
Executive director of The Kids Professor Jonathan Carapetis commended the Government for taking a long-term strategic approach to identifying and actioning priorities that will shift the focus from treatment to prevention.
“The evidence is compelling that investment in preventative health saves lives and reduces the burden on our health system,” he said.
Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton said insights from the roundtables would ensure the strategy was grounded in real-world experience and focused on practical ways to make the biggest difference in people’s lives.
“Prevention is the most powerful tool we have to improve health outcomes, and the WA Preventative Health Strategy is about making sure Western Australians can live healthier lives,” she said.
“By investing in prevention now, we are building a stronger, more sustainable health system for generations to come,” she said.
Ms Winton will host the roundtables, in collaboration with WA Health, the Mental Health Commission, and Healthway.
Areas of focus will include mental health and wellbeing in the early years; health promotion; immunisations; cancer screenings; sexual health; targeted population strategies and cross-government initiatives.
How to promote healthy eating and active living, injury prevention, and a public health approach to the prevention of tobacco, e-cigarettes and vaping will be considered as well as ways to boost screening and vaccination rates.
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Community susceptibility to vaccine-preventable infectious diseases is increasing in WA due to decreasing rates of vaccination uptake.
Former AMA (WA) President Dr Michael Page previously described this susceptibility as a “sleeping giant of public health” ready to awaken.
Health Minister Meredith Hammat said health prevention was a key strategy to reduce pressure on the health system.
“From encouraging strong vaccination uptake for vaccine-preventable illness, promoting healthier habits, and increasing access to early screening – our focus will remain on practical measures we can take to keep Western Australians healthy and reduce pressure on our hospitals,” she said.
The state’s hospital systems faced record pressure last winter which saw some elective surgeries postponed and emergency wait times reach the longest in the country.
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Feedback from the strategy roundtables will inform the next stages of work, with a public consultation process set to open in the coming months via the Department of Health to encourage members of the public to provide input.
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