NT Health, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) and Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NT PHN) have come together to launch a new framework to help prevent chronic conditions in the Northern Territory (NT).
Titled Healthy, Well and Thriving: The Northern Territory's prevention and early intervention framework for chronic conditions 2024 - 2030, the framework's aim is to help keep Territorians healthy and well for as long as possible by focussing on chronic condition prevention and early intervention.
To achieve this, the framework will deliver a range of strategies to improve health and wellbeing, including creating more health-promoting environments and settings, embedding prevention within the healthcare system and strengthening screening services to enhance early detection.
The framework recognises the need for a holistic approach to health to effectively address the complex social drivers of chronic conditions within communities, including among disadvantaged populations. It will prioritise addressing key risk factors - such as unhealthy food and drink, inactive lifestyles, alcohol consumption, tobacco use (including e-cigarettes) and poor social and emotional wellbeing - to improve long-term health outcomes.
The framework aims to provide a whole of health sector response which will see an increase in collaboration between service providers and strengthened Aboriginal leadership.
Reducing the impact of chronic disease will improve health and health equity outcomes across the NT, decrease the social cost of chronic conditions on individuals, families and communities and lessen pressures on the health system.
To access a copy of the framework, visit: here
Quotes for Adjunct Professor Christine Connors, Chief Health Officer, NT Health:
"Many chronic conditions are preventable and early intervention can significantly improve patient outcomes.
"Chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and a range of cancers are some of the key drivers of the burden of disease in the Territory.
"By bringing together key health providers in the Territory, the framework will build on the strengths and partnerships already in place, focusing on creating healthier environments and supporting holistic, person, family and community-centred care."
Quotes for Dr John Paterson, Chief Executive Officer, AMSANT:
"AMSANT members are often at the end of the line treating the health impacts and symptoms of inequality and disadvantage without the power to prevent it.
"This framework sets the foundation to change that, strengthening our health system and the way we work together across the sector to address the social drivers of chronic conditions within our communities.
"It allows for more collaboration between service providers and, importantly, strengthened Aboriginal leadership to provide this much-needed whole of health sector response, fitting within the broader change needed to prevent ill-health for Aboriginal people."
Quotes for Gill Yearsley, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Territory PHN:
"We know that health and wellness isn't just about physical health. It's about everything that helps people to feel fulfilled and to flourish.
"This framework is a commitment to not only provide high quality care to those who need it, but to also turn our attention to early intervention strategies that will support a system-wide approach to the prevention of chronic conditions."
