Last year, the Sunday Examiner ran a series of articles on preventative health.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Stories featured experts, from dietitians, exercise physiologists and doctors to groups like the Heart Foundation and Healthy Tasmania.
They all said a whole-of-government approach was vital to ensuring prevention was always on the agenda, and that a boost in budget funds was needed to improve the health of Tasmanians.
Politicians seem to have listened, to an extent. But not enough, these groups and health professionals say.
Today’s Sunday Examiner features a spread about some of the areas the experts say need changing.
Again, they highlight the need for increased funds and a whole-of-government approach to prevention.
Preventative health has had some arguably significant mentions during the election campaign. However, neither major party has pledged the amount being called for by a number of health professionals.
The figure suggested by experts varies, but averages around the equivalent of 5 per cent of the health budget.
The Liberals say prevention is a priority, pledging an expansion of their healthy Tasmania five-year plan.
Labor says prevention will be “front and centre” under a Labor government.
The Greens say if preventative health funding isn’t prioritised, Tasmanians’ health will slip even further behind other states.
It is well documented that North and North-West Tasmania are some of the unhealthiest populations in Australia, with high rates of chronic illness and obesity.
While it is good to see politicians talking more about prevention and having it on their radar, it’s not enough, according to the experts.
Health professionals and advocates are trying to speak loudly about the need for real change in prevention, and it’s time they are listened to.
Part of the problem is the short election cycle, which makes politicians focus on quick fixes that make headlines, like new wards and more beds.
We need to focus more on early intervention, which takes more than a four-year term in government to show results. That means bipartisan support, less political spin, and a longer-term plan.
In the long run, it will cost less and ensure better quality of life for Tasmanians.