Public Health
Uses a population approach to prevent disease and increase health and wellbeing. It tackles health issues, immediate and long-term, that cannot be addressed with individual care. It works closely with Member Services and other parts of AHCSA to perform its work.
We support Member Services to tackle health issues that cannot be addressed with individual care. Our work applies a population approach to a diverse range of health issues. Our actions include long-term public health initiatives, such as supporting immunisation and environmental health, as well as emergency response. We also contribute to training and capacity building in the Community-Controlled Sector.
Governance support
AHCSA supports Member Services to develop systems that achieve high quality and safe clinical care. These systems, including policies and processes, are collectively known as clinical governance. The Public Health team provides medical input on clinical governance matters.
Clinical leadership
The multidisciplinary Public Health team provides clinical leadership to Member Services. Our team includes AHCSA’s Senior Aboriginal Health Practitioner (AHP), whose role is to support AHPs across the sector to work to their full scope of practice.
Environmental Health
Environmental health is a critical determinant of health and wellbeing in Aboriginal communities, with the impacts of housing, water and sanitation infrastructure, inappropriate houses, and environmental conditions contributing to a range of preventable health issues including rheumatic heart disease (RHD), skin infections, respiratory illnesses, and gastrointestinal disease.
For Aboriginal People, health is intrinsically linked to Country, with a long-standing connection to land, water, culture, and environment that has sustained physical, social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing for thousands of years. AHCSA supports its Member Services through training, capacity building, technical support, resource mobilisation and advocacy to address environmental health challenges through culturally informed, community-led approaches, while ensuring Aboriginal voices are represented in policies and programs that influence environmental health outcomes.
Training and capacity building
Along with other parts of AHCSA, the Public Health team contributes to training and capacity building in Member Services. It currently has education programs in immunisation and environmental health. It is committed to supporting people after training so newly acquired knowledge and skills translate into long-term changes in practice.
Emergency Response and Preparedness
During public health emergencies, AHCSA supports Member Services, providing coordination and facilitating information sharing. It also advocates for government agencies acting in the interests of the Aboriginal Community. AHCSA provides Member Services with tools to build resilience and prepare for future events.
Public Health Approaches to Health Promotion, Prevention and Disease Control
AHCSA supports its member services to strengthen public health approaches to the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases through coordination, capacity building and technical support. This includes supporting the delivery of screening programs, health promotion and prevention initiatives, facilitating links with state and national public health and advisory bodies, and strengthening health system partnerships to improve access, coordination and continuity of care for Aboriginal communities across South Australia
Diphtheria can make you very sick and can even put you in the hospital. It can spread easily between people if it’s not treated. Vaccination is your best protection from getting very sick.
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Strong eyes, strong people. Trachoma is an eye sickness that can cause serious issues if left alone, and can spread from person to person. Let’s keep our mob safe!
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It’s time to break down the stigma around sexual health. Talking openly about sexual health helps reduce shame and encourages more people to get tested.
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Infection Prevention and Control Tips for Initial Clinic Patient Management – Wound/Skin Conditions provides a simple visual guide to support safe, consistent patient flow from presentation through to assessment and management.
Infection Prevention and Control Tips for Initial Clinic Patient Management – Respiratory Illness provides a simple visual guide to support safe, consistent patient flow from presentation through to assessment and management.
You can get vaccinated at participating clinics and selected pharmacies, making it easier than ever to stay protected. Use the map here to find a vaccination location near you.
