Media Releases and Communiques
Australian Health Ministers welcome the progress of the Child Health and Wellbeing Reform Project
A discussion paper on Child Health and Wellbeing has been delivered at the Australian Health Ministers Conference in Sydney which will pave the way for measures to address this important issue.
28 January 2005
Joint Communique
A discussion paper on Child Health and Wellbeing has been delivered at the Australian Health Ministers Conference in Sydney which will pave the way for measures to address this important issue.A number of underpinning issues have been considered in the development of preliminary strategies:
- inequalities in health outcomes for children, with particular reference to Aboriginal children, but also including other disadvantaged groups
- the safety of children and the exposure of children to the risk of injury, death and poor adult outcomes through child abuse and neglect
- a perspective that addresses the social determinants of health and portfolios beyond health
- the need for early intervention using a life-course perspective which begins before birth
- the need for consistency of approach across jurisdictions in a number of areas
- maternal health in pregnancy and before birth
- service arrangements to enhance child health and wellbeing
- workforce strategies addressing the needs of professionals working with children
- monitoring child development, health and wellbeing
Media Contact: Richard O’Leary, Minister Toyne’s Office 0401 119 856
Kay McNiece, Dept of Health and Ageing 0412 132 585
Ben Wilson, Minister Iemma’s Office 0407 966 083
