Supported by the Community Public Sector Union members and Friends of VicHealth, thousands of workers are fighting back against a deeply troubling move from the Victorian Government to dissolve VicHealth’s functions into the Department of Health. Workers are rightly concerned that without proper investment in health prevention, Victorians life expectancy will decrease and ambulance and hospital demand will rise exponentially.
VicHealth, the world’s first independent health promotion agency is under threat. Since 1987 the organisation has provided innovative health programs as a standalone public health foundation. Without being influenced by powerful lobbies that can pressure governments, they’re able to put the wellbeing of Victorians first.
As an international leader in long-term prevention work; VicHealth produces innovative research and health promotions that reduce inequities and improve community health and wellbeing by addressing a broad range of key health impacts.
Recently the government has announced a decision to amalgamate VicHealth into the Victorian Department of Health, ending its decades-long independence.
More than 350 community, health and academic leaders have signed an open letter to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan calling for a reversal of the decision.
Workers deserve effective health services that have the freedom to take health seriously, even when the government may not want to hear.
| Send an email to your MP - template available |
Taking strain off our health system
One of the key aims of VicHealth in prevention promotions is to discourage disease from arising. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Burden of Disease Study 2024, over one-third of diseases impacting Australia’s health system could have been prevented by reducing exposure to risk factors.
In challenging political landscapes dominated by powerful tobacco, alcohol and junk food lobbies, VicHealth has remained an independent first line of defence. Amalgamating its functions into the Department of Health is an existential threat to this quality work.
Preventing poorer health outcomes on a national level
VicHealth promotional programs have had impacts on a national scale. Over the past forty years VicHealth’s decision-making has allowed workers to:
- Champion life-saving tobacco control reforms,
- Be a world leader in protecting young people from the harms of vaping and unhealthy food brand advertising,
- Establish pilots and/or fund nationally recognised health programs including SunSmart and Quit Victoria, and
- Scrutinise government health policy.
VicHealth workers have lead highly cost-effective programs like Sunsmart. SunSmart alone is estimated to have prevented more than 43,000 skin cancers between 1988 and 2010.
Prevention is the best cure
In a recent media release by the Bendigo Foodshare Board, Chair Sue Clarke reflected on the impact that VicHealth has had on broader Victoria, supporting thousands of local partnerships.
“VicHealth’s investment in our local community has allowed us to partner and create local solutions that have had a profound impact for marginalised groups such as the Karen refugee population and young people disengaged from community.
Over the past five years, VicHealth funding has enabled us to engage with thousands of young people setting them up for success, equipping them with life skills and teaching them how to grow food and cook a cheap, nutritious meal. The true impact of this prevention work for our younger generation is immeasurable: it strengthens resilience and builds a healthier future for our entire community.”
Working across food systems, neighbourhood and built systems, and commercial and economic systems VicHealth is one of the only agencies in Victoria well equipped to lead ground-breaking transformation in preventable health measures.
Help #SaveVicHealth
Workers across the state are asking for members of the public to:
1. Take Action to keep VicHealth Independent and Strong for a Healthier Future.
2. How to email your Member for Parliament (MP) - use Friends of VicHealth’s email template!
3. Call Member for Parliament (MP) – use Friends of VicHealth’s guide!
4. Follow CPSU Vic Branch and Friends of Vic Health on social media to stay updated.
5. Share what VicHealth means to you, using the hashtag #SaveVicHealth