Healthy Communities
Aim:
Our intention is to focus on improving lifestyles, working on the prevention of ill health, and the implementation of a long-term, integrated health promotion program. This will be done in collaboration with government and non-government agencies, general practitioners, and community groups.
Priority will be given to the improvement of community-based management of chronic and long-term conditions and to expanding access to services in the community. Most of the strategies to be deployed will by necessity involve partnering with other agencies and providers.
This is especially true if we are to make the much talked of, but much needed vision of improving Aboriginal health. This still remains one of WA Health’s major challenges.We Commit To:
- Increasing the focus on the promotion of health and wellbeing through:
- An awareness of the social determinants of health and the importance of a good start in life;
- Health promotion to ensure adequate physical activity and good nutrition; and
- Continuing initiatives to stop smoking and reduce the uptake of smoking.
- Increasing awareness of chronic disease and long-term conditions and the importance of identifying risk factors.
- Empowering communities and individuals to self manage chronic and long-term conditions.
- Increasing care in the community through non-hospital based ambulatory care.
- Improving Aboriginal health by:
- Working with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, as well as Aboriginal communities in developing new partnerships for service provision; and
- Developing culturally appropriate health service delivery.
- Fostering and supporting community/consumer support and engagement in health system performance.
- Expanding community participation in health leadership by increasing the number and enhancing the roles of the District Health Advisory Councils.