SOUTH AUSTRALIA LEGISLATES TO LAUNCH PREVENTIVE HEALTH AGENCY New Preventive Health SA Council to provide strategic advice and drive evidence based agenda
Filmed in Adelaide, South Australia | November 2024
On 28th November 2024, the SA Parliament passed legislation to make preventive health a key part of South Australian health system for the first time, through a new agency aptly named Preventive Health SA.
Preventive Health SA will lead evidence-informed and innovative action to prevent and reduce the burden of non-communicable health conditions and improve health equity across the South Australia population.
The Preventive Health SA Bill 2024 also establishes the Preventive Health SA Council to provide strategic advice with its members to be selected based on their diverse health knowledge, expertise and experience.
Through the delivery and implementation of evidence based policy and programs, Preventive Heath SA are working to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequities for South Australian communities.
Australian Health Journal spoke to Chris Picton MP, Minister for Health and Wellbeing, in the South Australian Government about the key focus of the agency will be to address smoking, vaping, obesity and other health risks for South Australians.
“As well as vaping, obesity, smoking, alcohol and drug use, increasing rates of chronic disease make Preventive Health SA’s activities vital for community and to help reduce pressure on the health system”, says Health and Wellbeing Minister Chris Picton MP.
The new Preventive Health SA CEO, Marina Bowshall talks about the agency making a big impact in helping people stay healthier, and the long term benefits.
With collaboration from health professionals and researchers, legislation for this initiative has been created to implement evidence-based strategies that can lead to meaningful long-term health improvements for the community.
“One of the strengths of our agency is our collaborative approach across government, non-government and key sectors for policy and programs that benefit our community and population.
That’s how we will take forward our commitment to making South Australia an even healthier state across generations by implementing strategies that address the burden of preventable health conditions”, says Marina Bowshall
Public Health Association of Australia (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,” says Dr Brushe.
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Thyroid health into pregnancy
‘Without an adequate amount of thyroid hormone mothers can be exposed to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia or eclampsia, which affect around 10% of pregnant women and are the leading causes of maternal and neonatal mortality worldwide. Mothers who suffer from hypertensive disorders during pregnancy are at increased risk of long-term cardiovascular consequences and hypertensive disorders in subsequent pregnancies. Evidence also indicates a risk of reduced cognitive ability to their offspring.
‘Knowing if you are genetically predisposed to Hashimoto’s or Graves’ Diseases, which are both thyroid autoimmune disorders is important to be aware of, to ensure all appropriate tests are ordered. Autoimmune disorders may predispose mothers to a thyroid problem during pregnancy’, says Professor Creswell Eastman, who also serves as the ATF’s Principal Medical Advisor.
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Global GP Conference comes to Australia
Over 3000 delegates from around the World will gather at the 50th celebration of WONCA to reconnect and revive General Practice, sharing knowledge and learnings on access, equity, funding, and multidisciplinary care teams. This includes networking with Australian and overseas GPs and in particular learning about primary care practices in other countries.
Australian Health Journal met with Dr Nicole Higgins, President of RACGP in transit at Brisbane Airport recently and she spoke about the $6 Billion allocated in the Federal Budget in May as a significant achievement for General Practice investment. She also emphasised this announcement reinforced GPs should be at the centre of multidisciplinary care teams to ensure continuity of care and better health outcomes.
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Nuclear medicine funding a win for men with prostate cancer
Australian men with higher risk prostate cancer now have access to a nuclear medicine scan to help detect and treat metastatic disease, after it was listed on the Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) from 1st July 2022.
In 2021 over 18,000 Australian men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, resulting in over 3,000 lives being lost – and making prostate cancer Australia’s second most common cause of cancer death in men.
Australian Health Journal spoke with AANMS President Associate Professor Sze Ting Lee and Dr Geoff Schembri on the MBS listing and the efforts to get it listed.
