The SA Public Health Consortium comprises the state’s leading public health organisations: the SA branches of the Public Health Association, the Australian Health Promotion Association, and South Australian Council of Socal Service. All advocate for the community’s health and wellbeing through disease prevention and health promotion. We agree on an equitable approach to public health, in which everyone has the opportunity to live well.

We are pleased to see prevention and public health prioritised in South Australia with the creation of Preventive Health SA and a Chief Public Health Officer – both of which were previous advocacy priorities of the Consortium. These are a foundation for SA to increase its investment in prevention to tackle the growing challenges of chronic disease, climate change and ensure a sustainable public health, health promotion and prevention workforce.

The National Preventive Health Strategy (2021-2030) has a target for governments of 5% of health expenditure for prevention and public health by 2030. But 2023-24 data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showed SA was spending just 2.4%. As a state, we need a clear plan to double this investment. This includes addressing issues like food insecurity, poverty and commercial interests, alongside risks like obesity, tobacco and alcohol to protect the health of our community.

The Consortium urges all candidates contesting the election to support the following actions, which if acted on, will improve the health and wellbeing of people across our state.

This site was created by the Public Health Association of Australia’s National Office. Contact communications@phaa.net.au.