The Health in All Policies Collaboration today congratulated the Tasmanian House of Assembly for it’s tripartite support in agreeing to establish a Joint Select Committee on Health Outcomes.
This investigation will look at preventing ill-health in Tasmania through the underlying causes of poor health – the social determinants of health.
The social determinants of health – such as income level, housing status and education lead to health inequities that mean Tasmanians fare the worst in the country for chronic disease and poor mental health.
“This is a move towards having a whole of government approach to health to improve the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians,” said Health in all Policies Collaboration Chair Graeme Lynch.
“Factors such as housing, income, education and family support can have more of an impact on a person’s health and wellbeing outcomes than access to medical care.
“The Committee’s job will be to look beyond just the election cycle to see how we address these factors that impact our health in Tasmania.
“We can continue to only treat the rising burden of chronic disease, which is still critical for those who are sick now, or we can also address issues such as education, economic and social hardships and tackling unaffordable housing and health care,” Mr Lynch said.
*Health in All Policies Collaboration includes:
National Heart Foundation of Australia, Arthritis Tasmania, Asthma Foundation of Tasmania, Cancer Council Tasmania, Diabetes Tasmania, Kidney Health Australia, National Stroke Foundation, Public Health Association and TasCOSS.
The Health in All Policies Collaboration
