PREVENTIVE  HEALTH  TASKFORCE – TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Preventive Health Taskforce will provide evidence-based advice to government and health providers – both public and private – on Preventive health programs and strategies, and support the development of a National Preventive Health Strategy.
 

The strategy will provide a blueprint for tackling the burden of chronic disease currently caused by obesity, tobacco, and excessive consumption of alcohol.  It will be directed at primary prevention and will address all relevant arms of policy and all available points of leverage, in both the health and non-health sectors, in formulating its recommendations.
 

The taskforce will also:
1. support the further development of the evidence base on Preventive health, to inform what works and what doesn’t;
2. provide advice for policy makers on what strategies work best at a population level, and on the best buys for government investment in Primary Prevention;
3. provide advice on the most effective strategies for targeting prevention in high risk sub-population including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people living in rural and remote locations;
4. provide guidance and support for clinicians, particularly in primary care settings to play a more effective role in Preventive health care;
5. provide advice to Government on options for better integration of Preventive health practice into the Medicare Schedule and other existing government programs; and
6. support the development of inter governmental and public-private partnerships on Preventive health.
 

The taskforce will be appointed for a term of three years by the Minister for Health and Ageing.
 

Accountability and deliverables
The taskforce will report to the Minister for Health and Ageing. The taskforce will use a multi-disciplinary approach, operate in a collaborative, open and consultative manner, and work in partnership with existing agencies and bodies working in associated areas.
The taskforce will provide:
•    advice on the framework for the Preventive Health Partnerships between the Commonwealth and the State and Territories by July 2008;
•    a three year work program by September 2008;
•    a National Preventive Health Strategy by June 2009; and
•    advice on such matters as may be referred to the taskforce from time to time by the Minister of Health and Ageing.