Preventive health monitoring dashboard tracks Australia’s progress against 2 key strategies

Preventive health monitoring dashboard tracks Australia’s progress against 2 key strategies

12 Dec 2024

The National Preventive Health Strategy 2021–2030- external site opens in new window guides a whole-of-government approach to prevention that addresses the wider determinants of health, reduces health inequities and decreases overall burden of disease, while the National Obesity Strategy 2022–2032- external site opens in new window is a framework for action to prevent, reduce and treat overweight and obesity, which around 14 million Australians live with.

‘Using the latest available data from a range of sources, the dashboard provides a mid-point assessment of how Australia is tracking against the aims and focus areas identified in the National Preventive Health Strategy,’ said AIHW spokesperson Vanessa Prescott. 

‘The targets relate to a range of different preventive health issues facing Australians, including reducing tobacco use and alcohol harm and improving healthy eating and physical activity.’

Mid-point monitoring at a glance

Current monitoring shows that several of the targets are showing an improvement from baseline data. 

Among the improvements is a decrease in the daily smoking prevalence for adults (10.6% in 2022 from 13.8% in 2017–18) and an increase in Australians aged over 15 participating in physical activity. 

In 2022, the proportion of Australians aged over 15 engaging with no physical activity was 12% compared with 14.3% in 2017–18.

However, progress has been limited or stagnated in some areas. Obesity prevalence has remained stable, with 32% of adults living with obesity in 2022 compared with 31% in 2017–18. 

Proportion of public health spending (excluding COVID-19 spending) of total health expenditure in 2022–2023 (2.3%) also showed little change compared with 2018–19 (2.0%).

For a few targets, progress has regressed against baseline. Average daily fruit consumption across all age groups have fallen, as well as immunisation rates in children. 

‘We know that prevention is vital to improving the health and welfare of all Australians, a key aim of both strategies,’ Dr Prescott said. 

‘Continued monitoring of the targets is important so we can track improvements and see if they are sustained, as well as drawing attention to areas of stabilisation or regression.’

For all media enquiries: AIHW Media | media@aihw.gov.au | 

 

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