26 September 2024
The country's peak body for public health congratulates the South Australian Government for enacting legislation today that creates the new agency, Preventive Health SA.
The Preventive Health SA Bill 2024 will ensure ongoing investment and commitments to public health and health promotion across the state.
“This is a great day for the many people who've worked tirelessly for a long time on preventive health efforts across our state,” said South Australia-based Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) President, Prof Caroline Miller.
“We commend Health and Wellbeing Minister, Chris Picton for his leadership and commitment to preventive health. We congratulate his office, and the team at Preventive Health SA for making this legislation happen.
“We also thank the members of the SA Public Health Consortium – comprising PHAA SA Branch, South Australian Council of Social Service, and Australian Health Promotion Association SA Branch – whose 2022 election platform featured preventive health as a pillar.
“It was during our consortium's public health debate that Mr Picton, then in opposition, pledged that if his party won office, it would take prevention seriously by creating a dedicated agency.”
As Minister, Mr Picton created the Preventive Health Establishment Advisory Council, chaired by former federal health minister the Hon. Nicola Roxon, whose members also included PHAA President Prof Miller.
PHAA South Australia Branch President, Dr Mary Brushe, said a new agency focussed on preventive health will help ease the pressure on the state’s stretched hospitals and ambulance systems.
“Keeping people healthy and well means they're less likely to need hospitals or call an ambulance, because around half of all chronic diseases are preventable,” Dr Brushe said.
ENDS
For comment:
Paris Lord (he/him), PHAA Communications & Media Manager, 0478 587 917, plord@phaa.net.au
About us:
We’re Australia's peak body for public health and advocate for the health and wellbeing of everyone. We strive to help prevent, rather than cure, illness and disease.
Our campaigns and activities span numerous public health issues from environmental health, immunisation and pandemic control, through to tobacco, gambling, physical activity, junk food marketing, preventive mental health, health education and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Our 2,000+ individual members represent over 40 professional groups interested in the promotion of public health. We also have branches in every State and Territory. Learn more at phaa.net.au
Contact details:
Paris Lord (he/him), PHAA Communications & Media Manager, 0478 587 917, plord@phaa.net.au
