The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation is a statutory authority in the Australian state of Victoria, originally funded by hypothecated taxation raised by the Victorian Tobacco Act 1987. It was the first health promotion body in the world to be funded by a tax on tobacco. Better known as VicHealth, the organisation has a mandate to promote good health for all Victorians. With a focus on promoting good health and preventing chronic disease, it leads and advocates for excellence in health-promoting policies and programs for:
Active communities and sport Social connection and mental wellbeing Healthy and sustainable food systems Reducing harm from alcohol and tobacco products
History
Founding and early history (1987–1997) In 1987, the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) was established with funding from government-collected tobacco taxes and mandated to promote health in the State of Victoria. In 1988, VicHealth moved to buy out tobacco company sponsorship of sport and the arts. As a result, Quit, Heart Health and other health promotion programs replaced tobacco sponsorships. The Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria (now the Cancer Council Victoria) received funding from VicHealth to run its SunSmart and Quit programs, and VicHealth funded the first Victorian breast cancer screening program. In 1989, VicHealth funded significant research into Alzheimer's disease at the Mental Health Research Institute. In 1994, VicHealth held its first national conference to examine the pioneering developments of working with sport and art organisations to promote health. VicHealth also funded the research arm of the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre, a program aimed to increase the capacity to intervene and prevent youth suicide. In 1995, VicHealth launched Healthy Families of the Future, a program to improve mental health and wellbeing within families. In 1996, VicHealth was recognised with the World Health Organization Medal for Excellence and the Active for Life program launched in schools to teach children about making exercise a healthy lifetime habit to prevent heart disease.
1998–2007 In 1998–1999, VicHealth launched the Koori Health Research and Community Development Unit and the Mental Health Promotion Plan for Victoria; focusing on social connection, freedom from discrimination and economic participation as major factors impacting on mental health. In 2000, The VicHealth Centre for Tobacco Control opened, focusing on legal, economic and social research to strengthen tobacco control initiatives. In 2001, smokefree dining in Victoria was introduced and the Together We Do Better campaign was launched. In 2002–2003, VicHealth launched Leading the Way, a project dedicated to promoting healthy eating and active living in local communities. In 2006, VicHealth ran a 10,000 Steps Walking Challenge during the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, the largest of its kind to take place in Victoria. More than 1600 clubs participated in the Australian Drug Foundation's Good Sports program, an initiative supported by VicHealth designed to change the booze culture that exists in many sporting clubs. VicHealth established a partnership with the AFL to advance violence prevention activity through sport. In 2007, VicHealth supported a State Government ban on the sale of alcopop tubes and created the Victorian Health Inequalities Network to encourage public dialogue about the development of coherent strategies to reduce inequalities.
2008–2013 In 2008, VicHealth hosted the 2008 World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health in Melbourne, and the Streets Ahead program was started. The organisation began funding thirty State Sporting Associations to increase club-level involvement in sports, and its Motion program sought to increase community arts participation. In 2012, VicHealth began a workplace health program to address issues ranging from individual stress to the effects of prolonged sitting. The "Seed Challenge" campaign of 2013 sought to increase Victorians' consumption of healthy foods.
2014–2022 VicHealth was named a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Leadership in Health Promotion in September 2014. In the same year, the organisation formed a panel of experts, "Leading Thinkers", to examine various health challenges from a range of theoretical perspectives. A second round of arts funding began in 2015, as did the VicHealth Citizens' Jury on Obesity, a collection of online and in-person focus groups looking at simplifying healthy eating. In 2018, "This Girl Can - Victoria" was launched to increase women's physical activity and health. In 2021, the "Future Healthy" campaign was started to provide funding for a range of community organisations.
2023–current In 2023, VicHealth launched VicHealth Strategy 2023, a document outlining the Victorian Health Department's plan for improving public health in the state of Victoria, Australia. In March 2023, VicHealth invested $3.5 million in JumpStart! initiative, which is focused on creating communities that support the health of young people. Two JumpStart! ideas in the Shepparton region have already been revealed, with both ASHEfest and Valley Sport receiving $40,000 in funding. At the same year, VicHealth launched a large-scale campaign against vaping, in particular unveiling a sculpture on the harms of vaping, promoting a draft law on regulating the use of electronic cigarettes among young people. Also, VicHealth and Monash University released the Kids Building Future Healthy program, where students were given the mission to design and build communities where people are connected, active, and eating well, using the game Minecraft Education Edition. In 2023, VicHealth launched RealityCheck mental health platform that provides resources and tools for individuals to manage their mental well-being. The platform offers a range of features, including mood tracking, journaling, and meditation exercises. RealityCheck also provides personalized recommendations based on user input and offers support from mental health professionals.
Strategic imperatives VicHealth's Action Agenda for Health Promotion 2013–2023 focuses on the following five strategic imperatives:
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