What keeps people healthy? And how can we create the conditions that help more Western Australians live long, healthy and connected lives? We know these are questions that our members and friends care about a lot.
They are also the big questions at the heart of the WA Preventative Health Strategy currently being developed by WA Health. Last week, HCCWA was pleased to join Minister for Preventative Health Sabine Winton at the public launch of the community consultation, where she emphasised that prevention is everyone’s business and invited Western Australians to help shape the strategy’s priorities. You can learn more and have your say through the public consultation process: https://consultation.health.wa.gov.au/pahd-office-of-the-chief-health-officer/preventative-health-strategy-consumer-consultation/.
Prevention starts long before someone becomes a patient
This survey has been shaped after a series of roundtables earlier this year. HCCWA spoke up about consumer, carer and community interests in these roundtables – see what we shared here: https://www.hconc.org.au/consumer-voices-driving-health-informing-the-preventative-health-agenda/
One of the strongest messages we took into the strategy development process was that many of the factors that influence health sit outside the health system itself. For example, alongside vaccination and hand-washing, our community told us that staying connected to family and friends is an important part of what they do to stay healthy [link to https://www.hconc.org.au/wa-winter-readiness-hccwa-report/]
A chance to do things differently
One topic that generated considerable discussion during the roundtables was the breadth of preventative health itself. Participants asked how the focus areas had been selected, given the enormous scope of the topic. It was clear that difficult choices had been required to narrow the focus and create a manageable process.
That challenge highlights why community input is so important. People’s lived experience helps identify issues that may otherwise be overlooked and ensures the strategy reflects the realities of everyday life.
We were encouraged by the Minister’s genuine engagement throughout the process. She attended the roundtables and listened carefully to the feedback being provided. We also discussed the importance of ensuring the public consultation reaches a wide and diverse range of Western Australians.
So now it’s your turn
A preventative health strategy will only be successful if it reflects the experiences, priorities and aspirations of the people it is designed to serve.
Whether you have ideas about mental health, healthy communities, health promotion, childhood wellbeing, cancer prevention, immunisation, reducing health inequities or creating healthier environments, this is an opportunity to contribute to the conversation.
At HCCWA, we believe the people most affected by health policies should be involved in shaping them. We encourage consumers, carers, families, community groups and service providers to take part in the consultation and to share it through their networks. Together, we can help ensure WA’s approach to preventative health is informed not only by evidence and expertise, but also by the voices and experiences of the communities it serves.
👉 Have your say: https://consultation.health.wa.gov.au/pahd-office-of-the-chief-health-officer/preventative-health-strategy-consumer-consultation/