Objective 2: Improving Wellbeing

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PREVENTATIVE HEALTH
Preventable diseases, such as those caused by obesity and smoking, impose a huge cost on South Australians. They reduce the quality and length of life for those affected by the disease and add pressure to the lives of carers and family. There is also a significant financial burden on the health system. The plan retains targets for reducing smoking and obesity and has a particular focus on the younger generation. Physical activity is also an important target as a means to promote healthy lifestyles.

T2.1 Smoking: reduce the percentage of young cigarette smokers by 10 percentage points between 2004 and 2014.
T2.2 Healthy weight: increase the proportion of South Australians 18 and over with healthy weight by 10 percentage points by 2014.
T2.3 Sport and recreation: exceed the Australian average for participation in sport and physical activity by 2014.

HEALTHY LIFE EXPECTANCY
South Australians have a good life expectancy. However, it is the quality of that life which is the focus of this group of targets. Longevity must be accompanied by an active and healthy lifestyle which enables people to participate in their community. The difference in life expectancy between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations is very concerning. The median age of mortality among South Australia’s Aboriginal population has been 25–30 years less than for non-Aboriginal South Australians. This cannot be fixed quickly, but it is a crucial inter-generational challenge. A new target in the updated plan looks at the years of life lost through avoidable disease as a means to highlight the problem and tackle it head-on. Chronic disease management is the subject of a new target and reflects the reality that, as we live longer, we need to learn how to cope better with long-term illnesses. The health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) target is a carry-over from the original plan and measures life expectancy as equivalent years of full health.

T2.4 Healthy South Australians: increase the healthy life expectancy of South Australians by 5% for males and 3% for females by 2014.
T2.5 Aboriginal healthy life expectancy: lower the morbidity and mortality rates of Aboriginal South Australians.
T2.6 Chronic diseases: increase, by 5 percentage points, the proportion of people living with a chronic disease whose self-assessed health status is good or better.

PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING
The Government has acknowledged that mental health is an area requiring a specific focus by appointing a Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. In the absence of a measurable indicator of mental health, the level of psychological distress in the community has been retained as an indicator of the overall wellbeing of South Australians. The Social Inclusion Board has comprehensively re-evaluated South Australia’s mental health system. Its recommendations will help guide reform of the mental health system in South Australia.

T2.7 Psychological wellbeing: equal or lower than the Australian average for psychological distress by 2014.

PUBLIC SAFETY
South Australians are entitled to be safe and secure in their communities – at work, home and on the roads. Improving safety will avoid unnecessary injuries and loss of life, both of which create an emotional and economic burden on the community. There has been a welcome fall in offences recorded by police in recent years. The targets below highlight where we – as a government and a community – want to see improvement.

T2.8 Statewide crime rates: reduce victim reported crime by 12% by 2014.
T2.9 Road safety – fatalities: by 2010, reduce road fatalities to less than 90 persons per year.
T2.10 Road safety – serious injuries: by 2010 reduce serious injuries to less than 1000 per year.
T2.11 Greater safety at work: achieve the nationally agreed target of 40% reduction in injury by 2012.

WORK–LIFE BALANCE
Quality of life is determined by a number of things, including education and employment opportunities, a healthy environment, a rich cultural life, and good health. An important addition to the plan is a new target for the balance between work and personal life in South Australia. Problems with balancing one’s work and social life affect many South Australians due to an increased number of double income households and an increase in the population of older people who depend on their children for care. Promoting a culture and environment that strikes the right balance between work and other pursuits benefits health and wellbeing, and helps build stronger communities.
T2.12 Work–life balance: improve the quality of life of all South Australians through maintenance of a healthy work-life balance.

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