Why Does this Matter?
Inequality is a key driver of ill health. On a range of health indicators, the most disadvantaged South Australians have poorer health outcomes.
Social determinants of ill health include poverty, housing insecurity, unemployment or precarious work, and food insecurity, amongst others. Early intervention and preventive health approaches and policies that reduce the impacts of these drivers can lessen the burden of ill health and support the wellbeing of all South Australians.
While Australia is rightly proud of its public health system, there are key areas that require improvement. Access, inclusion and affordability of health services are a challenge for many people – examples include gap payments, long wait times, exclusionary attitudes, and regional-metropolitan service disparities.
What does SACOSS Want?
Better funding
Investment in public health, disease prevention and health promotion so that pressure on emergency departments is reduced and less needs to be spent elsewhere in the health system.
Participation of health system users in policy and practice improvement
Opportunities for community perspectives to guide responsive, patient-centred health reform are to be encouraged and supported.
Recognition of social determinants of health
Proper consideration is to be given to addressing the social determinants of poor health outcomes so that the overall health of South Australians can be improved.
South Australian People’s Health Voice

South Australians deserve to have their voices heard by our health system.
The People’s Health Voice project aims to improve the safety and quality of the state’s healthcare systems by listening to the people the systems are designed to help. In particular, the People’s Health Voice aims to ensure that services are:
- equity-focused
- guided by lived experience
- oriented to the provision of patient-centred care.
SACOSS is carrying out work for the People’s Health Voice on behalf of SA Health.
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