By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE City of Casey this week launched its health plan for the 2015 to 2017 period.
The Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, which addresses health priorities in the region over the next three years, was unveiled at a special public forum and panel discussion held at the council chambers on Tuesday.
The new plan outlined seven priorities to ensure a health mandate is upheld in Casey. These included active living, a safe community, a socially connected community, a sustainable environment, early childhood and youth development, food security and healthy design.
City of Casey manager Community Safety Caroline Bell said this was the second health plan to be based on a “social determinants” model, which shifted emphasis from “ill health to good health.”
“The current plan has certainly taken health and wellbeing aspects into a different direction. The last plan was the first time we worked on a social determinants model,” she said.
“It also recognises that ill health is an effect of a whole range of factors, it’s not the cause itself.”
The health plan also outlined three core priorities, which included diverse and affordable housing, economic wellbeing, and transport infrastructure.
“If we look at economic wellbeing, it’s much more difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle if you are disadvantaged from an economic point of view,” Ms Bell said.
“We need to try and improve the number of local jobs so people have greater access to work locally, which potentially reduces stress on transport infrastructure and ensures everyone’s mental and physical health is good.”
Ms Bell said the Municipal Public Health & Wellbeing Plan was a high priority for the City of Casey organisation.
“Basically, it aims to ensure that the opportunities and activities that occur within the municipality district create an environment where people don’t just survive, but also thrive,” she said.
“The plan recognises that council has a key leadership role in ensuring that the services we deliver build a strong and healthy community.”
