Health promotion is an area of primary health which enables people to increase control over their own health with confidence.
It covers a wide range of social and environmental interventions that are designed to benefit, protect & improve people’s health and quality of life. This is done by addressing and preventing the root causes of ill health and not just focusing on treatment and cure.
At Tallangatta Health Service we are guided by the Victorian State Government's Community Health - Health Promotion program. This program is funded to work towards achieving the outcomes of the Victorian Public Health & Wellbeing Plan which has 10 key areas of focus for health improvement across the state.
Across our small local catchment in the South East of Towong Shire we focus on 3 areas having the most positive impact on community health and wellbeing:
We also have a focus on mental wellbeing and understand the mutual benefits that healthy eating and active living can have on mental health.
Health promotion at our local level, focuses on settings where populations live, work, learn and play.
We focus most of our work where we can reach larger populations such as schools, community groups, workplaces, early years learning centres, sporting clubs, shops and food outlets rather than programs based on individual behaviour change at the individual population level.
We try to influence healthier environments across these setting too and want to make the healthy option the easy option, not the other way around!
Achievement Program
Which guides settings through ways they can make their environment more conducive to good health. Vic Kids Eat Well forms part of this program and supports settings to ensure their food offer to children is healthy and appealing. Learn more
RESPOND Project
We worked with our community and partners to identify specific actions community believe are most important locally in creating healthier environments and increasing activity levels in our children. Learn more
Place based needs are addressed by supporting local groups, businesses, local government and organisations to take action on healthier eating and active living initiatives. We provide advice and support to assist and improve people's health and wellbeing.
Community Gardens
Support of our 'Community Gardens' including the community managed Tallangatta Health Service Lakeside Garden. Community gardens offer a wide range of benefits, including building social connections, promoting health and well-being, increasing access to fresh, healthy produce, and enhancing the environment and town appeal.
Implemented bythe Healthy Eating Advisory Service's Policy Directive for Victorian Public Health Services. By adhering to the policy, we are ensuring we are providing healthy food options to staff & visitors as mandated by the Healthy Eating Advisory Service.
HEAS Achievement Program
We lead by example in our local community and have achieved all Achievement Program - Tallangatta Health Service health benchmarks in addition to the HEAS Policy Directive requirements.