This article covers themes related to depression, mental health challenges and emotional distress. Reader discretion is advised.
In Australia’s healthcare system, the concepts of health and wellbeing go beyond mere treatment — they also encompass a proactive approach of prevention and promotion. Health promotion not only safeguards individual health but also fosters community wellbeing.
Health promotion is more than a set of initiatives; it embodies a philosophy that advocates for preventive measures and the cultivation of healthy lifestyles. As we navigate through challenges such as mental health issues, drug use and an ageing population, the role of health promotion becomes increasingly crucial. By addressing the root causes of health issues and empowering individuals and communities, health promotion contributes significantly to the resilience and vitality of our society.
Seeking a career in public health and want to learn more about health promotion? In this article, we examine health promotion and its purpose in the broader framework of public health in Australia. Additionally, we’ll look at the roles you can play in the future of health promotion and the qualifications that take you there.
What is health promotion?
Health promotion is a broad term generally recognised as an area of public health. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), its focus is preventing ill health and promoting good health rather than finding treatments and cures for illnesses, diseases and existing conditions.
Health promotion initiatives might include strategies for improving the health of pregnant mothers and their babies, outreach programs to educate the community on good eating habits, diabetes and how to lower your risk of developing it, and campaigns about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
Simone Austin is the chief health officer at Healthylife and an accredited practising dietitian. She views health promotion as a concept that focuses on health as a population rather than an individual.
“Health promoters want to know what the health of our nation, or subgroups such as kids, looks like,” she says. “What barriers prevent people from carrying out healthy habits, and what can we do as a community to support people in incorporating them?”
This forward-looking area of healthcare aims to educate and support the broader community and improve the future health of Australians. So, what are the benefits of prioritising health promotion and prevention?
Why is health promotion important?
It’s widely accepted in healthcare that preventing poor health is preferable to treating it. The federal and state governments’ interest in promoting the health and wellbeing of Australians will give us all greater access to relevant research findings and, subsequently, the ability to improve health outcomes.
Beyond these broader benefits, health promotion impacts the individual and their support systems as significantly as the wider community and nation.
“If you prevent ill health, you can keep people out of the hospital and healthcare treatment,” Austin says. “As treatment is expensive, sometimes ongoing, and a strain for the patient and their loved ones, this is always a positive.”
In addition to helping the individual, it also benefits our healthcare system. “Reducing government spending on the treatment of health issues frees up more money for promoting healthier communities, improving happiness and connection, reducing chronic disease and more,” Austin says.
Health promotion is a truly valuable measure that can benefit the individual, their community and the nation. For those interested in working in preventative health in Australia, it also provides a rewarding career avenue to consider.
Health promotion initiatives in Australia
What does health promotion currently look like in Australia? Thankfully, significant investment is being made in promoting the health and wellbeing of Australians, and several measures and initiatives are in place.
In Australia, the Preventative and Public Health Research Initiative plans to provide $596.5 million between 2022 and 2032 for research in this area. Its goal is to improve health outcomes for those with complex chronic conditions and to be able to use its research findings to improve community health services and education programs.
In addition to this important scheme, we also have many health promotion initiatives already in place. They include:
- Tobacco reduction: The National Tobacco Strategy, which looks forward to 2030, is focused on improving the health of Australians by reducing smoking rates.
- Cancer and other disease screenings: These can be population-based or offered to individuals, and screen for diseases like cancer before someone shows symptoms. If detected earlier, there is often a better chance of survival and treatment response.
- Mental health support and suicide prevention: Organisations and initiatives like Beyond Blue, headspace, Lifeline and Kids Help Line provide invaluable support for children and adults in Australia.
- State-specific initiatives: Some of the most impactful health promotion initiatives are based on location-specific research and needs. Examples of state-based initiatives include the Vic Kids Eat Well program, and the Healthy Eating, Acting Living and Living Well Living Longer programs in NSW. Another example is the Queensland Government’s Deadly Choices initiative, which helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make healthier choices.
In addition to new initiatives, Austin believes that one of the most impactful changes we can make is simplifying our health messages to be more accessible. “Instead of focusing on what not to eat, we should be urging Australians to have an extra serve of vegetables, as it’s an easier message,” she says.
Austin suggests taking the onus away from the individual and placing it onto the organisations and governments that create our environments. “This could look like supermarkets promoting vegetables, health promotion around how to cook vegetables or increasing public access to vegetables,” she says, citing Healthylife’s Living Health report as a great example of health promotion work within a corporate business.
For those who work on health promotion campaigns and collaborate with other health professionals — like epidemiologists and government officials — developing, implementing and supporting these initiatives is all in a day’s work.
What does the future of health promotion look like?
What can we expect from health promotion in the future? Is it your dream to play a part in improving the health of your community? By looking at some of our country’s most prevalent health issues, we can gain insight into what could become a priority in the future.
- Vaping
Vaping has become a significant health issue, particularly among young Australians. The latest statistics from the NSW Government show there was a 4.5 per cent increase in vaping from 2021 to 2022 for people aged 16 to 24. It’s now a key health promotion focus, with campaigns like ‘Every vape is a hit to your health’ in NSW and Queensland’s Vape Truths.
- Screen time
A survey by the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne found that excess screen time was parents’ number one health concern. “Parents need support greater than the things they can control,” Austin says. “This might mean more activities to excite children, like outdoor play spaces and community initiatives.”
- Mental health
Vision 2030 is the Australian Government’s blueprint for mental health and suicide prevention. Promoting a ‘whole of community, whole of life, and person-centred approach to mental health’ is vital for public health, now and in the future.
- Sedentary lifestyles
A key focus in health promotion in the future will undoubtedly be on sedentary lifestyles. However, it’s not just adults who need to move more. The majority of Australian children are not meeting the AIHW Guidelines on physical activity.
- Gambling
Public health approaches to gambling must now shift to our future generations, as it affects children also. “With children being exposed to gambling advertisements and simulated gambling in video games, more education and restrictions are needed,” Austin says.
With the right initiatives in place and passionate healthcare professionals dedicated to promoting them, these issues could become a thing of the past. Starting at a young age, educating and supporting individuals and communities — as those in health promotion do — is the best place to begin.
How you can play an important role in health promotion
Undoubtedly, a career in health promotion can be incredibly rewarding, and those with skills and experience in health promotion will be in demand in the future. But what qualifications do you need to take you there? Victoria University’s Master of Public Health Specialising in Health Promotion is a great pathway.
The postgraduate qualification enables graduates to work in health promotion once their public health studies are complete. They will graduate with a deep understanding of the factors that contribute to both good and poor health and the skills to make a difference. The core units of the Master of Public Health include Foundations of Public Health, Promoting Health in Policy, Public Health Program Management and more.
After graduating with a Master of Public Health Specialising in Health Promotion, students have a diverse and rewarding range of career outcomes to choose from. Depending on their passion and professional goals, they can seek work in disease prevention, policy or health promotion, in roles such as:
- NGO manager
- health promoter
- public health researcher
- project officer
- health advisor
- health educator
- public policy and strategy consultant
- health promotion research coordinator
The course has been designed to be highly accessible to all students and provides consistent support throughout. Delivered in Victoria University Online’s award-winning postgraduate Block Model, it allows students to graduate sooner and enjoy the flexibility of study that suits their lifestyle.
Your entry to a meaningful career in preventative health
Public health is a rewarding profession to work in. Every day, your mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of millions of people living in Australia.
If you’re passionate about addressing contemporary health issues, explore the range of public health courses available online today.
The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.
