VicHealth Action Agenda for Health Promotion 2019–23

VicHealth strategy

5 Aug 2019

Research and Publications

VicHealth’s Action Agenda Framework summarises the approach to our work over the next four years.

Download: VicHealth Action Agenda for Health Promotion – 2019 Update (PDF, 863 KB)

Download: VicHealth Action Agenda for Health Promotion –Interactive Framework (PDF, 226 KB)

Click here to download a Plain English version of this document (DOCX, 796 KB)

A list of references is available for the Interactive Framework here

This framework illustrates how our work meets our legislative requirements, how our programs meet our 10-year target and how we contribute to key Victorian Government priorities in health and wellbeing, mental wellbeing, fairness and inclusivity, gender equality and building capacity.

In 2013, VicHealth released a 10-year plan that outlined our vision for a Victoria where everyone can experience better health. The VicHealth Action Agenda for Health Promotion 2013–2023 set an ambitious target: one million more Victorians with better health and wellbeing by 2023.

To achieve that target, VicHealth committed to five strategic imperatives that have the greatest potential to improve the health of the Victorian population. These are to:

encourage regular physical activity
prevent tobacco use
improve mental wellbeing
promote healthy eating
prevent harm from alcohol

Our 2019 update

In 2016, VicHealth updated its Action Agenda, and we are doing so again in 2019. As in 2016, this update will make sure we remain on track to deliver our 10-year target and that we are focusing our efforts where we can have the greatest impact. A recent study of risk factor burden in Victoria by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare confirms the importance of VicHealth’s ongoing commitment to our five strategic imperatives.

This 2019 updated Action Agenda will take us through to 2023. It:

renews our commitment to our five strategic imperatives
integrates our three themes – gender, youth and community – across our work
demonstrates stronger application of our work in health equity, research and the arts
articulates six Insights that will guide our work over the next four years
aligns with key Victorian Government priorities for health and wellbeing.

VicHealth’s 2019 update recognises that new and innovative ways of working are needed to deal with complex health issues. Our partnerships are vital for creating positive changes to population health and wellbeing, helping to broaden the reach and impact of our programs, and incorporating lessons learned over the past three decades.

Insights

VicHealth has developed six Insights to help guide our work over the next four years. They are informed by a wealth of knowledge from our health promotion programs, research, social marketing, participatory democracy and behavioural approaches to health and wellbeing.

Those who do little or no physical activity are more likely to get active and stay active when the activity is social and unstructured and can be fitted into everyday life.
Moving young men beyond simply understanding what’s right to actively supporting gender equality is critical to reducing violence against women.
Fear of judgement is a key barrier holding women and girls back from participating in and maintaining physical activity.
The shared practices of social groups, rather than individuals, have the greatest scope to bring about cultural change, particularly in relation to alcohol and diet.
By working together, local communities can drive improvements to systems and their own physical and social environments.
Building social connections and having close, positive relationships is an effective way to address the rising levels of loneliness experienced by young people.