VicHealth Action Agenda for Health Promotion 2019–23

The 10-year framework for our work between 2013 and 2023. Updated first in 2016, then again in 2019. 

In 2023 we launched the VicHealth Strategy 2023-2033.

VicHealth developed six Insights to help guide work in the final phase of the 10-year Action Agenda between 2019 and 2023.

1. 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.
2. Moving young men beyond simply understanding what’s right to actively supporting gender equality is critical to reducing violence against women.
3. Fear of judgement is a key barrier holding women and girls back from participating in and maintaining physical activity.
4. 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.
5. By working together, local communities can drive improvements to systems and their own physical and social environments.
6. Building social connections and having close, positive relationships is an effective way to address the rising levels of loneliness experienced by young people.

These insights were informed by a wealth of knowledge from our health promotion programs, research, social marketing, participatory democracy and behavioural approaches to health and wellbeing.

This update made sure we remained on track to deliver our 10-year target and that we focused our efforts where we could have the greatest impact. A study of risk factor burden in Victoria by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare confirmed the importance of VicHealth’s ongoing commitment to our five strategic imperatives.

The 2019 update:

• renewed our commitment to our five strategic imperatives
• integrated our three themes – gender, youth and community – across our work
• demonstrated stronger application of our work in health equity, research and the arts
• articulated six Insights that guided our work in the four years up to 2023
• aligned with key Victorian Government priorities for health and wellbeing.

VicHealth’s 2019 update recognised 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.

Browse the 8 strategies for the imperatives outlined in the former VicHealth Action Agenda for Health Promotion.