20 February 2014

The Network's 2014 Tasmanian election statement has been sent to political parties - watch this space to see if they respond

These things matter to us....
  • Access to fresh, nutritious and affordable food
  • Freedom from discrimination
  • Recognition and respect for Aboriginal people
  • Being able to read and write, and opportunities for life-long learning
  • Access to quality health services, and particularly those that focus on prevention and early intervention
  • Greater efforts to improve gender-specific health problems
  • Being included in community life
  • Reliable and affordable transport
  • Affordable, appropriate, safe and secure housing
  • Regular and secure work, and adequate income
  • Caring for our environment
  • A fair and equitable society
Because they are important for our health

And they are important for our State:
The benefits to Tasmania from greater efforts to address these social determinants of health are real: improved health and wellbeing, reduced or delayed chronic disease (and therefore pressure on hospital systems), reduced work absenteeism and improved workforce productivity.

Do they matter to you?
The Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network calls on all candidates in the 2014 Tasmanian election to publicly outline their commitment to acting on the social determinants of health.


13 February 2014

Latest news

Here is some of the information Network members have been sharing lately. To join our emailing list please email: socialdeterminantsofhealthtas@gmail.com

Expressions of Interest - Community proposals to address social determinants of health

Tasmania Medicare Local is seeking expressions of interest from eligible communities to develop projects that address social determinants of health which impact on the health status of their residents. TML has identified 18 Tasmanian ‘communities of priority’ and funding of up to $350,000 per community is available for project development and implementation. Up to nine communities will be funded.
Communities eligible to apply for funding are:

Northern region –  Break O’Day, Dorset, George Town, Glamorgan/Spring Bay, Launceston
North west region – Burnie, Devonport, Kentish, Waratah/Wynyard, West Coast
Southern region – Brighton, Central Highlands, Derwent Valley, Glenorchy,  Huon Valley, Sorell, Southern Midlands, Tasman.

More information about Social Determinants of Health Strategy funding can be found on the Tasmania Medicare Local’s website:  www.tasmedicarelocal.com.au or by calling a social determinants of health project coordinator on 6425 0800.

TasCOSS Election Campaign

12 February 2014
TasCOSS officially launched its State Election campaign for the community sector today with the release of the Call to the Parties document at a media conference in Hobart.

For details visit: www.tascoss.org.au

Review of Existing Mental Health Services and Programmes

The Australian Government has assigned the National Mental Health Commission to conduct a national review of mental health services and programmes.

This review will examine existing mental health services and programmes across the government, private and non-government sectors.  The focus of the review will be to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of programmes and services in supporting individuals experiencing mental ill health and their families and other support people to lead a contributing life and to engage productively in the community.

For more information visit: 

Closing the Gap: Prime Minister’s Report 2014


The Lancet—University of Oslo Commission on Global Governance for Health The political origins of health inequity: prospects for change
Published February 11, 2014

Despite large gains in health over the past few decades, the distribution of health risks worldwide remains extremely and unacceptably uneven. Although the health sector has a crucial role in addressing health inequalities, its efforts often come into conflict with powerful global actors in pursuit of other interests such as protection of national security, safeguarding of sovereignty, or economic goals. This report examines power disparities and dynamics across a range of policy areas that affect health and that require improved global governance: economic crises and austerity measures, knowledge and intellectual property, foreign investment treaties, food security, transnational corporate activity, irregular migration, and violent conflict.




HUMAN RIGHTS, EQUITY AND HEALTH
PROCEEDINGS FROM A MEETING OF THE HEALTH EQUITY NETWORK
HELD AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS