Population Health and Strategic Direction

Centre for Population Health - Projects

Local government is a priority setting for NSW Health
Local govt. is a key intervention setting for issues based programs such as prevention of injurious falls in older people, childhood obesity, tobacco control, physical activity
SWAHS is now a regional entity covering nine LGAs
There are partnerships at state level between NSW Health , NSW Department of Local Government and Local Government and Shires Association
There is the opportunity to address population health on a broad scale
Local government legislative requirements and planning frameworks are closely linked to the health promotion program of work
Western Sydney Region of Councils (WSROC) has health as a priority action area
There are possible upcoming amendments to Public Health Act to increase requirement for collaboration between AHS and local government.

There is new and substantial evidence linking urban environments to negative health impacts
There is capacity to advocate and deliver on upstream health and environmental outcomes
There is the potential for huge cost savings for the community as need for retrofitting of urban environments is reduced
There are direct areas of overlap in specific populations/issues such as older people, housing and injurious falls prevention and State Environment Planning Policy (SEPPs) legislation
There is the potential for AHS as a lead agency to influence statewide policy directions
Evidenced based World Health Organisation (WHO) frameworks which link urban planning to improved health outcomes
Complementary to Local government partnerships as health is seen as a value added stakeholder/partner when feedback requested on draft plans
Supports whole of government/non government organisation/Private sector/Community approach to well being as an outcome of healthier urban planning
Broaden understanding that health is not just about health services
Potential to create evidence as rationale/basis for further action (funding, research, workforce development, infrastructure, partnerships)

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is supported by NSW Health as an innovative tool which supports systematic approach to assessing policies, plans etc
Existence of international HIA frameworks/policies with developing evidence and evaluation base
Strong equity focus within HIA aligns with SWAHS Health Promotion purpose statement and other equity policies
Staff attendance at phase 1 HIA training and as participant observers in NSW pilot HIAs (phase 2 of HIA)
Funding for further HIA training by NSW Health supports AHS in developing local capacity for HIAs
Complementary to Local government partnerships as health impact seen as a value adding tool for improved decision making
Supports whole of government/NGO/Private sector/Community approach to well being as an outcome of health impact recommendations
Broaden understanding that health is not just about health services
Potential to create evidence and publish /report on health impacts linked to social determinants of health ( housing, transport etc)

Establish and maintain a population health Local Government Network
Develop, implement and evaluate a Local Government Partnership Action Plan
Develop and implement an Area Health Service Framework for responding to local government plans
Conduct a HIA on the Granville Housing Regeneration Draft Plan
Identify further opportunities to conduct HIA on development plans/policies