Political parties contesting the 2014 State Election are not recognising the underlying causes of poor health
and they are clearly not serious about addressing Tasmania’s spiralling health care costs.

Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network of Tasmania convenor, Ms Miriam Herzfeld, said, “While
we’ve seen a plethora of scattered promises that could broadly be recognised as being important to health –
including policies on education, persons with disability, jobs, children and families and so forth – not one
party has shown strong leadership in tackling the critical factor that could help address Tasmania’s spiralling
health care costs.

“That critical factor is about recognising that lifting up the most disadvantaged people in our communities
will lift up all of us.”

As stated by Sir Michael Marmot, Chair of the WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health,
“People with higher socioeconomic position in society have a greater array of life chances and more
opportunities to lead a flourishing life. They also have better health. The two are linked: the more favoured
people are, socially and economically, the better their health. This link between social conditions and health
is not a footnote to the ‘real’ concerns with health – health care and unhealthy behaviours – it should be the
main focus.”

Ms Herzfeld says, “Time and again we have seen local data illustrate that there is a social gradient in health:
people who are poorer and who are faced with additional social barriers are more likely to experience
poorer health outcomes.

“You only have to look at the most recent State of Public Health Report (Department of Health and Human
Services, 2013) to find examples such as this one on page 20: (unable to post)

“This is about much more than committing to preventive health initiatives.

“Where are the party policies that recognise health equity as a central goal – where is the long term wholeof-
government plan to address poverty in this state and the other factors that currently get in the way of
people attaining optimum health?”

The Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network has written to all political parties calling on them to
publicly outline their commitment to acting on the social determinants of health.

Download The Network’s election statements:

2014_Election_SDOHAN_Statement_FINAL_1.pdf

2014_Election_SDOHAN_Statement_FINAL_2.pdf

2014_Election_SDOHAN_Statement_FINAL_3.pdf
Miriam Herzfeld Consulting Convenor, Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network