14 October 2011
Implementing Health in All Policies in South Australia
Since 2007, the state of south australia has adopted a “Health in all Policies” (HiaP) approach, placing it strategically as a central process of government to improve health and reduce inequities rather than implementing it as an approach run by and for the health sector and imposed on other sectors. This approach has been framed as essential in achieving not only health priorities but also a range of goals in the state’s main planning document, the south Australian Strategic Plan.
Strong intersectoral relationships have been built to explore interconnections of various targets within the Strategic Plan and social determinants and to work towards the joint achievement of individual agencies’ goals and population health improvements. A health lens analysis process has been used, building on traditional health impact assessment methodology and incorporating additional methods, such as economic modelling, to improve rigour and flexibility and to accommodate the policy goals of the agencies in the partnership. As a consequence, the health lens is modified for each project and evaluation is built in. A range of projects involving different sectors have been undertaken. These projects include water security, migrant settlement, and access to digital technology. The foundations for the success of the Health in all Policies approach in South Australia have been identified as:
- a strong cross-government focus;
- a central government mandate and coordination;
- flexible and adaptable methods of enquiry, using health lens analysis;
- mutual gain and collaboration;
- dedicated health resources for the process;
- joint decision-making and joint accountability.
In 2011, the South Australian Government incorporated specific provisions in new public health legislation to strengthen the mandate and sustainability of this approach. More information on the South Australian experience can be found on their web site.