Background:

Over the past few years there has been a noticeable rise in reference to the terms ‘social determinants of health’, ‘health equity’, and ‘reducing inequity’ within state, territory and national health policy contexts. This has increased the potential to engage in cross-sectoral partnerships and action, including with sectors that sit outside of the health sphere, to improve population health outcomes. However, the Commonwealth Government and some State/Territory Governments have more recently engaged in a process of political back-pedaling through significant disinvestments in health promotion and prevention across Australia.

Methods:

We will use a desktop review of expert commentaries, policy statements and budget papers to shape a critically reflective commentary about recent disinvestments in health promotion and prevention in Australia.

Results/Discussions:

Both the Australian Health Promotion Association and the Public Health Association of Australia were critical of the 2014 Federal Budget cuts to health promotion, prevention and Australia’s universal health care system. Key areas of concern included the abolishment of the Australian National Preventive Health Agency, the proposed introduction of GP co-payments, the cessation of key National Partnership Agreements, the abolishment of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the transition of Medicare Locals to more clinically focused ‘Primary Care Networks’, the reduction of Australia’s contribution to the World Health Organization and significant cuts to Indigenous programs. We argue political back-pedalling of this nature poses significant threats to the health, economic and social wellbeing of all Australians, particularly those that are most vulnerable. This makes it more difficult to navigate leadership and action to build health equity and improved health outcomes over the longer term.

Conclusions/implications:

This paper will describe how recent political back-pedalling and disinvestment in health promotion and prevention will require strategic leadership and action to enhance the promotion of health equity in Australia over the coming decades.