Overall CHF supports the recommended priorities and actions and welcomes the commitment to further consultation with children, families and young people as implementation plans are developed and operationalised. We welcome ARACY’s proposed life course approach: it is important that the plan gives attention to both early childhood, adolescent and young adulthood health priorities. We note the recognition of CHF’s Youth Forum as a key platform for engagement.

One of our key concerns is that primary care and prevention have not been adequately addressed, despite existing data on childhood obesity and poor oral and dental health being referenced and despite the general practice and primary care being a key setting for intervention both planned and opportunistic. We know that these conditions are linked to poor health and social outcomes, and are overrepresented in the priority groups identified. As it stands, this is a major deficit in the Plan. CHF suggests an additional Priority Area  – Access to primary care and prevention services – incorporating measures that address oral/dental health; prevention of childhood obesity; integrated models of care that benefit to children and young people such as patient and family centred health care homes; and support for young consumers to navigate and access the health system. 

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Publication type: 
Publish date: 
Monday, April 1, 2019
Author: 
Consumers Health Forum