Health In Focus For Central Highlands Partnership

MELBOURNE, Vic., Australia, 26 October 2017 /PRNewswire Policy/ -- The Andrews Labor Government is backing the Central Highlands region's efforts to improve long-term health outcomes through an investment of $150,000.

The funding will go towards a business case to support the development of a ‘Prevention Lab' – a new co-designed and place-based Central Highlands prevention platform.

This project is a direct result of the Labor Government listening to the feedback given by the local community to the Central Highlands Regional Partnership.

Through its engagement with the community, the Partnership identified health as a priority theme, and in particular, the need to improve long term health outcomes for people in Central Highlands.

The Partnership worked with Government and local health agencies to set a long term goal of increasing the number of people in the community meeting the healthy eating and physical activity guidelines by 5 per cent.

In an effort to achieve this new goal, the Partnership will work side-by-side with existing and new partners to establish the Central Highlands as leaders in primary prevention.

A Prevention Lab has been put forward as a new way of doing things to achieve positive public health outcomes, by bringing together health professionals, community members and public health advocates together under one roof to tackle poor health outcomes in the Central Highlands.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford

“The Central Highlands Partnership has identified this as a priority for the region – that's why we're getting behind it and kick starting its development by supporting a business case.”

“This grant will help the Central Highlands Partnership to work with key partners to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities for the benefit of the entire region.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight

“The community has raised this as a key issue so it is important we listen and take action. Creating the business case is an important step in making this lab a reality.”

SOURCE State of Victoria, Minister for Regional Development