The rate of chronic health conditions continue to rise, with nearly one-in-two people living with three or more conditions.

More than half of the state's population is also overweight or obese.

While a lot of this directly relates to lifestyle choices, many conditions are also linked to Tasmania's high concentration of economic and social disadvantage. 

Every day, preventable hospitalisations continue to clog up a health system already under pressure.

The state government says it invests $70 million into preventative health programs each year, along with $8.6 million for its Healthy Tasmania Strategic Plan. 

However, many Tasmanian health professionals, advocates and organisations believe this is not enough.  

Heart Foundation Tasmania chief executive Graeme Lynch said more was required to improve health outcomes and keep people well for longer. 

"If we look at what is in the [Tasmanian] health budget, and at public health services, less than 2 per cent of the health budget is spent on prevention," he said.

"Over the forward estimates, that is declining. So a benchmark that is normal in similar countries, like for example New Zealand or Canada, would be somewhere between 5 and 7 per cent, of the health budget.

"There has been investment over the years from the Commonwealth, but that was done through partnership agreements that are no longer in place.

"So a lot more of the lifting in this space is needed to be done by the state government, to improve our health outcomes, to stop people from getting sicker or to help keep them well for longer."

According to the ABS National Health Survey 2014-15, more than 14 per cent of Tasmanians were admitted to hospital as an in-patient, in the previous 12 months.

This figure was more than any other state or territory and 2.6 per cent higher than the national average. 

Data from the 2016 Census also indicated that Tasmanians were more affected by disability than people in all other states or territories.

Last year, a report commissioned by St.LukesHealth examining the health status of Tasmanians aged between 25 and 34, revealed a high prevalence of many lifestyle risk factors. 

The survey focused on understanding the lifestyle behaviours contributing to poor health and preventable hospitalisations.

Of those surveyed, 25 per cent were smokers and a further 52 per cent were overweight or obese.

St.LukesHealth chief executive Paul Lupo said chronic disease continued to place a high burden on the health system, government spending and the community.

"Health is the single biggest issue impacting Tasmanians," he said.

"Not only is it the biggest spend in the state budget, but unhealthy people restrict economic growth when they are unable to work, learn, innovate and contribute to our communities. 

"State spending has been focused on beds and budgets with the public health system overburdened by those waiting to access its services.

"Those with private health insurance, who are treated in a public hospital, help bolster the public system's financial position.

"Only appropriate investment in evidence-based and responsive methods will allow us to support people to form healthy habits that will fix this problem and help our economy to thrive into the future."

Along with poor physical health outcomes, mental ill-health continues to have devastating affects on Tasmanian communities, with the second highest suicide rate in Australia. 

With a focus on early intervention and shifting from a health system that treats unwell people, to one that supports people to be well, Mental Health Council of Tasmania chief executive Connie Digolis said goal-oriented planning was key.

"With one in five Australians experiencing a mental illness in any given year, many of us are actively trying to either recover from an episode of ill-health or trying to put steps in place to maintain a state of wellness," she said. 

"For the general population, it is important to also take steps to maintain their mental health and in turn potentially prevent illness from occurring. 

"Mental health is often described as a journey that is definitely a marathon and not a sprint. Therefore longevity and goal oriented planning is key.

"The Mental Health Council is always advocating for measures and programs that will prevent illness or prevent mental ill-health from escalating to the point where people are unable to take steps to avoid becoming increasingly unwell.

"We see it as if you can keep people well for longer, you can prevent episodes of severe and debilitating mental illness. Staying mentally healthy saves lives."