Eye Health Progress Report

Introduction

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This report is the first report by jurisdictions to the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference on progress to date in implementing the National Framework for Action to Promote Eye Health and Prevent Avoidable Blindness (the Framework). It covers the period from the release of the Framework by Health Ministers in November 2005 to July 2008.

Jurisdictions were asked to report against eye health and vision care activities undertaken during the specified time period. It should be noted that many areas of activity contribute to the furtherance of the objectives of the Framework, such as general health workforce initiatives, quality and safety of health care initiatives and health promotion activities. In addition, since the leading causes of blindness and vision loss are the degenerative eye diseases (cataract, macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy) programs aimed at reducing the impact of chronic disease are particularly likely to have an impact on furthering the objectives of the Framework. Whilst acknowledging the important contribution of such initiatives, this report focuses on specific eye health and vision care initiatives.

It should also be acknowledged that non-government organisations, health professional associations, private industry, communities, families and individuals all have a role to play in achieving the Framework’s objectives. The roles and responsibilities of these groups are outlined in the Framework document. During the three year period 2005-2008 significant work has been done by the non-government sector towards the objectives of the Framework. This report focuses on the contribution of governments.

Consistent with the Framework, the report is structured according to the five key action areas in the Framework:

Key Action Area One: Reducing the risk
Key Action Area Two: Increasing early detection
Key Action Area Three: Improving access to eye care
Key Action Area Four: Improving the systems and quality of care
Key Action Area Five: Improving the evidence base.

The report has been compiled by the Eye Health Working Group of the Australian Population Health Development Principal Committee (APHDPC) of the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council (AHMAC).

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