An evidence-informed review to support the development of the South Australian Health Promotion Workforce Strategy

The Wellbeing SA Strategic Plan 2020-2025 commitment to improve the health of the entire population, address determinants and risk factors of good health and wellbeing, and take action to reduce disparities in health outcomes requires a competent, mobilised and well-supported health promotion workforce.

Wellbeing SA is committed to developing a Health Promotion Workforce Strategy for South Australia (SA) to strengthen the health promotion workforce to achieve the aims of the strategic plan. To support the development of a Health Promotion Workforce Strategy for South Australia, Wellbeing SA established a partnership with the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA®) to undertake an evidence-informed review.

This focus on the workforce is consistent with national directions identifying the importance of increasing the capacity and capability of the (broader) public health workforce. There is also attention on ensuring the workforce is ‘future proofed’ through enhancing the availability, distribution, capacity and skills of the workforce. Stakeholders both in SA and interstate were very positive about the leadership shown by Wellbeing SA in planning a Health Promotion Workforce Strategy and expressed interest in exploring opportunities to collaborate.