Healthy bodies, healthy minds, vibrant futures: NSW Health Youth Health Policy 2010 - 2015
NSW Health is developing a new youth health policy, together with NSW CAAH and other stakeholders, which will identify priorities, guide program development and ensure better health outcomes for young people aged 12 to 24 throughout NSW.
The purpose of the new NSW youth health policy is to:
- Identify a set of principles and priorities for improving the health and wellbeing of young people in NSW, with a focus on at-risk and marginalised young people;
- Guide program development within Area Health Services by providing evidence about specific health needs and priorities for young people aged between 12 and 24;
- Facilitate a consistent better practice approach to youth health program development and service delivery across the health system.
What has been done so far?
Youth Health Policy Reference Group
The development of the policy has been informed by a Youth Health Policy Reference Group, including young people, policy makers, service providers and researchers.
Literature review
An analysis of the literature focusing on 'what works': Increasing the Resilience of Young People at Risk: A literature review
This report was written by Fiona Robards and jointly published by NSW CAAH and the Centre for Clinical Governance Research, University of New South Wales.
Consultation
A consultation forum 'Healthy young people in NSW: Sparkling idea for a positive future' was held in June 2009 to seek input from a broad range of stakeholders including young people, youth health services, relevant Department Branches, other government agencies, youth NGOs and other peak organisations to assist in developing priorities for the policy.
NSW Youth Health Policy consultation forum report Healthy young people in NSW: Sparkling ideas for a positive future is a summary report of the NSW Youth Health Policy consultation forum including presentations, activities, outcomes, and delegate's recommendations.
To further gain young people's input into the development of the policy an online consultation forum was held in partnership with the Inspire Foundation.
Special consultation sessions were also held with the Children and Young People's Health Priority Taskforce, the NSW Youth Health Council and the NSW CAAH Advisory Board.
The draft policy was then circulated for comment in December 2009. NSW CAAH thanks everyone who contributed ideas to strengthen the document: 68 responses were received from young people, Department of Health branches, other government departments, Area Health Services, NGOs, peak bodies, and researchers. The feedback was considered by the reference group and informed a review of the document before being submitted to the Department of Health for final approval.
Launch
A promotional event was held as part of the NSW Youth Parliament on 5 July 2010. It is anticipated that the policy will be launched in the coming months - watch this space!