Victorian Health Policy Reform: Impact on Community-based Health Promotion

Abstract

Since the Victorian Coalition Government was elected to office in 1992, community health policy has undergone considerable change as part of broader initiatives within the public sector. In the context of changing policy, concerns have been raised in the field of community health regarding the direction of community-based health promotion. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of policy reform on the conceptualisation, priority setting and practice of community-based health promotion. A series of interviews was conducted with a small sample of community health centre managers and staff within metropolitan Melbourne. Findings suggest that there has been a significant shift in the profile of community-based health promotion, with increasing emphasis on health promotion in clinical encounters and in groups, and less project work and community development. In terms of the principles of the Ottawa Charter, health promotion has moved away from the areas of community action and building healthy public policy as the centres focus increasingly on direct service provision. This study discusses the influences on and implications for the changing profile of community-based health promotion and considers directions for the future.