Public Health Experts Call for ‘Health in All Policies ‘ in Lead – Up to Sa Election

DEAKIN, Australia, Sept. 28 -- The Public Health Association of Australia issued the following news release:

As the 2018 South Australia election nears , the Public Health Association Australia (PHAA) and several other leading health organisations have written an open letter calling for an urgent focus on the deteriorating health and well -being of South Australians in addition to clear, state -wide strategies to address the problem.

PHAA joined a consortium of health organisations including the South Austr alian Council of Social Service , Australian Health Promotion Association, Anti- Poverty Network SA and People's Health Movement Australia to express serious concern over the soaring rates of non -communicable disease in South Australia, particularly among lower socioeconomic groups.

Kate Kameniar, President of the Public Health Association SA Branch said, "We're calling for urgent action to be taken by a strong leadership with a visible commitment to improvin g public health. We need the Chief Public Health Officer elevated to lead the focus on prevention and health promotion, as well as significant investment in the health sector and the Health in All Policies initiative."

"We want to see an evidence- based pl an of action that supports all public institutions and places as health - promoting environments. Changing the settings in which we work, live and play can make an enormous difference; whether it's through increasing physical activity by installing better cy cleways and walking paths, encouraging healthier food choices, or creating mo re smoke -free public zones," Ms Kameniar said.

Ross Womersley, CEO of the South Australian Council of Social Service said "Recent cuts to funding have reduced the health and com munity services workforce capacity to an all- time low, and there is now less focus and resources to address preventable causes of illness in the population ". Mr Womersley continued, " Chronic diseas es caused by obesity, poor nutrition and smoking are severely impacting the health of South Australians, along with inadequate access to health care due to spiralling costs. These problems most affect people who are experiencing h igher levels of poverty , who generally have fewer education al qualifications an d employment prospects. These are the social determinants of health and it's why we need a health in al l policies approach ".

Ms Kameniar concluded: "Give n the current financial climate we simply cannot afford to wait , and we urge the state government, the opposition and indeed all political parties to prioritise the long -term needs of South Austr alians in their policies as well as reduce ingrained social an d health inequalities. This can't go ignored any longer ".

For further information/comment: Kate Kameniar, President, Public Health Association Australia SA Branch 0431 976 104 Ross Womersley, Chief Executive Officer, South Australian Council of Social Service 0418 805 426 Media Release Public Health Association of Australia 28 September 2017