Month: November 2021

  • 7 – Healthy democracy and public policy-making

    Lobbying by commercial interests in Australia is highly coordinated and effective in influencing policy outcomes. This causes lacklustre public health policy and climate change policy, a self-regulated industry, and an environment conducive to corruption. Stronger laws regarding financial donations to political parties and transparency exist at state level, but are deficient at the federal level.…

  • 6 – Climate and health

    The close and delicate relationship between people and planet has been highlighted by COVID-19 (and previous disease outbreaks). A true economic and social recovery from the pandemic will not permit unabated climate change. Climate change directly damages our health. These include harm from heat, air pollution, unsafe drinking water, loss of food security, shelter, and…

  • 5 – Protect against unhealthy products

    Companies make substantial profits from unethical marketing and promoting unhealthy commodities, including gambling, formula milk, fast and ultra-processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol and tobacco (including e-cigarettes). All of which are a major cause of chronic disease and health inequities. Children’s large and growing online exposure, while bringing benefits for information access and social support, also…

  • 4 – Establish a Centre for Disease Control & Prevention

    COVID-19 has demonstrated that we cannot go back to the way we did things before. National surveillance and response systems were not strong or fast enough to halt or control transmission. There were major challenges in the national vaccination program roll out, quarantine procedures, best practice standards for masks, personal protective equipment and communication. This…

  • 3 – Public health workforce

    New and existing gaps in the public health workforce have been highlighted by COVID-19. A public health workforce has a vital role in building resilience of communities and health systems. Investment will optimise performance, quality and impact, leading to healthier lives and better well-being. Opportunities exist to improve workforce efficiency and effectiveness through education, retention,…

  • 2 – Invest in preventive health

    Australia cannot afford repeated disasters on the scale of COVID-19, whether they are triggered by the next pandemic, or from the rising chronic disease epidemic. One in five Australians have multiple chronic conditions. The rise in chronic disease prevalence makes people less healthy and less prepared for future pandemics of flu and other emerging infections.…

  • 1 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

    The low rates and barriers of access to COVID-19 vaccination in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is a clear example of the significant health disparities which continue to occur in Australia. The social determinants of health that have a direct impact to health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are…