VicHealth is the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation established by the Victorian Parliament in 1987 through a levy on tobacco. Its mission is to improve health for all Victorians by changing social, economic, cultural and physical environments. VicHealth's priorities from 2009-2013 included reducing smoking, improving nutrition, physical activity, social participation, and UV exposure. VicHealth uses a social model of health that addresses the social determinants of health like SES, gender, location. It aims to reduce inequality, empower communities, improve accessibility to healthcare, and collaborate with other sectors. Potential outcomes of VicHealth funded projects could include improved nutrition, physical activity, and sun protection behaviors by addressing relevant determinants of health through community programs.

1. KEY KNOWLEDGE
3.2.2 The role of VicHealth in promoting health
including its mission, priorities and how it reflects the
social model of health .
3.2.3 Potential health outcomes of a VicHealth funded
project.
KEY SKILLS
Describe the role, mission and priorities of VicHealth
and the potential health outcomes of a VicHealth
funded project for promoting health

2. VCAA
 From 2011 the VCAA requires teachers to
refer to the VicHealth Mission Statement and
the priorities identified in the VicHealth
Strategy and Business Plan 2009–2013 when
teaching about the role of VicHealth.

3. VicHealth –
Victorian Health Promotion Foundation
 The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, best
known as VicHealth, works in partnership with
organisations, communities and individuals to make
health a central part of our daily lives of all
Victorians
 Established by the Victorian Parliament as part of
the Tobacco Act 1987
 A levy (tax) was put on tobacco, thus creating a fund
to buy out tobacco sponsorship, to conduct research
and to provide funds to sports and other activities
that had not previous received funding.

4. The Role of VicHealth
 VicHealth’s focus is on health promotion and
primary prevention of non-communicable diseases.
 It is about promoting good health and wellbeing and
preventing ill-health.
 VicHealth promotes the health of Victorians by
seeking improvements to social, economic, cultural,
and physical environments in addition to developing
skills and knowledge for individuals and groups

5. Mission
 Is to; build the capabilities of
organisations, communities and individuals in ways
that:
 change social, economic, cultural and physical
environments to improve health for all Victorians
 strengthen the understanding and the skills of
individuals in ways that support their efforts to
achieve and maintain health

6. Priorities
VicHealth's Strategy and Business Plan 2009 -2013
 reducing smoking
 improving nutrition
 reducing harm from alcohol
 increasing physical activity
 increasing social and economic participation
 reducing harm from UV exposure.
Remember - SNAPS+

7. Social Model of Health
 Addresses all determinants of health –
VicHealth acknowledges the influence of the social,
economic, cultural and physical environments as
determinants of health, as well as lifestyle and genetic
factors influence our health. Programs are implemented
to make changes to these determinants to improve health
outcomes for Victorians.
EG: determinants such as SES, gender, location, physical
environmental conditions, working conditions, housing,
culture and race are addressed.

8. Social Model of Health...
 Reduce social inequality – VicHealth aims to reduce the
inequalities that exist in environments and socioeconomic
status that impact on the ability of all Victorians to
participate in healthy lifestyles
(i.e. Healthy eating programs in rural/remote areas,
healthcare services placed in areas with greatest SES
disadvantage)
 Empower individuals and the community – VicHealth
provides individuals and communities with resources and
skills they need to appropriate choices about their health
(i.e. education on healthy food choices, No Hat No Play
Policy develops sun protective behaviours and knowledge in
children)

9. Social Model of Health..
 Accessibility to healthcare – VicHealth provides
services and information to Victorians which is based on
need, is affordable, appropriate and accessible to all and
addresses barriers to access.
(i.e. Quit line, transport to programs, access to
appropriate services for needs, information about healthy
eating)
 Inter-sectorial Collaboration – VicHealth works
with an number of key stakeholders, government and
non-government organisations
(i.e. Sun Smart Initiative –VicHealth & Cancer Council
Victoria)

10. A funded Program
 ‘Journey to School’
 Link to Social Model of Health (inter-Sectorial
Collaboration and Addresses the determinants of
health) and how it improves Health (PMS)

11. A funded Program
 VicHealth – Kar Kulture clip
 Link to Social Model of Health (inter-Sectorial
Collaboration and Addresses the determinants of
health) and how it improves Health (PMS)

12. TASKS
 Project Task
 Walktober – media release/questions
 Exam questions
 Text book – p 209 – 212
 Complete case study
 Test your knowledge and apply your knowledge questions
 Diners last gasp – article and questions