It is no surprise that health has emerged again as a defining issue this federal election. Until we tackle our health issues at the source, they will continue to worsen. We neglect long-term preventive health investment at our own peril.
Within this reality lies a compelling case for Tasmania’s political candidates to demonstrate transformative national leadership and position our state to become the blueprint for revolutionary preventative health care models, setting a new standard for regional Australia.
Tasmania is grappling with some of the country's most alarming health statistics, including a staggering 20-year gap in life expectancy between Bridgewater and Sandy Bay residents[1]. We have among the highest rates of smoking, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and asthma. One in five Tasmanians also live with mental health issues. This is an unconscionable reality that demands immediate action.
But while chronic illness remains one of the state’s biggest health challenges, the good news is 80 per cent of these conditions are lifestyle-related and completely preventable. Despite this, the Tasmanian Government is spending a mere fraction (just three per cent) of the state’s health budget on preventative health. Like most state health systems, it is in constant firefighting mode.
With a vision to make Tasmania the healthiest island on the planet, St Lukes proposes a game-changer this election – the creation of a federally backed Healthy Futures Fund.
Much like the Australian Government’s forward-thinking future fund for infrastructure, guaranteed funding specifically for preventative health would empower small-scale programs to reach impactful scales, while fostering innovative approaches to community health, all geared to achieve generational change.
As an example, targeted initiatives in health literacy, smoking cessation, obesity prevention, and mental health could alleviate immense pressure on overburdened health systems.
St Lukes is ready to work with the government of the day to find and facilitate solutions in this space because: a) it is the right thing to do; b) it takes pressure off the public system; and c) it is an area where the public and private sectors can work together to create health systems that better meet community expectations.
We now cover more Tasmanians than any other private health insurer, and our members expect more from us – they want us to help them be healthy and stay well, so we’re answering the call.
We have a bigger role to play in primary care and we know this is supported by our community because our membership informs everything we do and we see it every day in our wellness hubs, where we fund a range of preventative initiatives for the whole community.
In addition to the Healthy Futures Fund, we are advocating for $1 million in federal funding to construct our third wellness hub in Devonport. We’ve experienced huge demand since opening our first two hubs in Hobart and Launceston, filling a gap for Tasmanians who want to get healthier, but don’t know how or where to start.
We are also seeking support to pilot a new model of care, providing acute home-based treatment for patients who would normally be admitted to hospital. By stepping up services outside hospital walls, the program would reduce preventable admissions, drive better patient outcomes, and generate invaluable data to inform broader adoption across Australia.
These initiatives represent a paradigm shift. Small investments that have the potential to lead to real generational change, if only we saw a government willing to look at the big picture.
Tasmania can turn its appalling situation around and leave a legacy of health care innovation. With the Federal Government's support, these initiatives can save lives, enhance life expectancy, and set an enduring example for the rest of Australia.
We are asking for a hand up, not a hand out, to redefine health care for our future generations.
Paul Lupo is the CEO of Tasmanian not-for-profit St Lukes.
[1] University of Tasmania | The education crisis imperilling Tasmania’s future and what we can do about it.