The Rapid Applied Research Translation for Health Impact Grant Scheme is a joint initiative between the South Australian Academic Health Science and Translation Centre (The SA Centre) and the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). The aim of the Scheme is to support projects that can achieve rapid translation of evidence into policy and practice that will lead to improved health outcomes.
The successful project, which will begin in January 2019, is entitled: Healthy South: Testing the feasibility of the rapid translation of Health in All Policies (HiAP) ideas to create healthy urban environments, create health promoting health services and stem the non-communicable disease epidemic in the southern area of Adelaide. This project will examine the feasibility of a Healthy South initiative that will apply a whole-of–community approach to creating health, wellbeing and low risk environments for non-communicable diseases.
The south of Adelaide has a long internationally recognised history of innovation in health promotion practice including Healthy Cities Onkaparinga, innovative community health services, community roundtables and local government community development. Concurrently, SA Health has led the world in the development of SA Health in All Policies (SA HiAP). Although there has been disinvestment in disease prevention and health promotion activity in South Australia, there is now renewed interest. Researchers at the Southgate Institute have conducted multiple research projects that can inform the development of this renewed interest and assist the development of a Healthy South initiative.
The project will culminate in a Healthy South Summit in November 2019 for key stakeholders from State and local government, NGOs and the community in the southern region. At the summit the research team will present findings and facilitate discussion to determine how a sustainable health and wellness promotion system scan be developed in the south.
The research team is interdisciplinary, including researchers from the Southgate Institute led by Chief Investigator Prof Fran Baum. Other investigators include: Carmel Williams (Manager, Prevention and Population Health Branch, South Australian Department of Health and Wellbeing), Maria Barredo (A/Regional Manager Clinical Services, Aboriginal Family Clinic Southern Adelaide Local Health Network), Prof Paddy Phillips (Chief Medical and Public Health Officer, Department of Health and Wellbeing) and Prof Jonathan Craig (Vice President and Executive Dean, CMPH, Flinders University).
The project has the support of a range of industry partners invested in creating a Healthy southern Adelaide. The following organisation will nominate representatives for a Project Advisory Group (PAG): Southern Area Local Health Network, South Australian Council of Social Services, Heart Foundation, Local Government Association of SA, City of Onkaparinga, City of Holdfast Bay and Healthy Cities Onkaparinga.
For more information about the project, please contact: Connie Musolino, connie.musolino@flinders.edu.au, 8 7221 8470.