Social determinants of health – a foundation to promote human rights

Human rights and health:a practical application

Todd Harper, CEOVictorian Health Promotion Foundation

Australia

Overview The landscape - global focus on human rights

Building on knowledge and activity to inform VicHealth’s policies and approaches

What does this like? Using a WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health (WHO CSDH) approach to prevent violence against women

Human rights, social & economic determinants and health

International Human Rights frameworks Alma Arta Charter The Ottawa and Bangkok Charters The Millennium Goals The International Mental Health Promotion Charter WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health (WHO

CSDH)

VicHealth’s approach

Health Inequalities policy Whole of population and sub-population

approaches are adopted to address disparities in health.

Sub-populations given priority attention are those experiencing disadvantage due to social, economic or geographic circumstances.

VicHealth’s Strategic framework adopts the WHO CSDH focus on:

1) Improving daily living conditions;

2) Tackling the inequitable distribution of power, money and resources; and

3) Measure and understand the problem and assess the impact.

Applying a human rights focus using the WHO CSDH approach

Incorporating human rights intoVicHealth’s Strategic Framework 2009-13

International Context

World Health Organisation Commission on Social Determinants of Health: Improve daily living conditions. Tackle the inequitable distribution of power, money and resources. Measure and understand the problem and assess the impact of action.

National and State Priorities for Prevention and Health Promotion

Reducing cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions, asthma, injury and mental health problems including stress, anxiety and depression.

Objectives of VicHealth (as mandated by the Tobacco Act 1987)

To fund activity related to the promotion of good health, safety or the prevention of disease

To increase awareness of programs for promoting good health in the community through the sponsorship of sports, the arts and popular culture

To encourage healthy lifestyles in the community and support activities involving participation in healthy pursuits

To fund research and development activities in support of these activities

Environmental Context

Vision & Mission

StrategicObjectives

Health Promotion Actions

What does this like in action?

Preventing violence against women

1. Measure & understand the problem & assess the impact: Burden of Disease – leading cause of illness, injury

among women 15 - 45 years of age Economic Research – indicating large economic

burden, but large gains for prevention Community Attitude Surveys eg views on gender equity

Health Burden of Intimate Partner Violence

Compared with other risk factors, intimate partner violence is the top ranking cause of preventable disease and premature death among women aged 15-44

Intimate partner violence

Compared with other risk factors:

What does this like in action?

Preventing violence against women

2. Tackle the inequitable distribution of power, money & resources: Interventions in male dominated sports, and with local governments, schools and the media.

Sports

Community Health

Local Government

Schools

Workplaces

LOGICAL FRAMEWORK

ORGANISATION WIDE

EFFECTIVE DELIVERY

RELEVANT AND INCLUSIVE

EVALUATION

WHOLE of SCHOOL

APPROACH

ORGANISATIONALLY LED

ASPIRATION for RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE

ENVIRONMENT

FROM ELITE to

GRASSROOTS CLUB

ENVIRONMENTS

PROGRAM

FRAMEWORK:

RELATIONSHIP

BETWEEN

GENDER and

POWER

GENDER

EQUITY POLICY

to PROMOTE

WOMEN’S

REPRESENTATION

CODES of

CONDUCT

PROMOTE

GENDER EQUAL,

RESPECTFUL,

INCLUSIVE

STANDARDS

EFFECTIVE CURRICULUM

FOCUS on SKILLS

BUILDING

STAFF TRAINING on RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE BEHAVIOUR

MENTORING to FAST TRACK WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION

RELEVANT, INCLUSIVE,

and CULTURALLY SUPPORTIVE

PRACTICE

VAW POLICY

EMPLOYEE

ASSISTANCE

PROGRAM

FUNDING TIED

to PROGRAM

IMPLEMENTATION

TEST for IMPACT

TEST for IMPACT

TEST for IMPACT

Complementary strategies

What does this like in action?

Preventing violence against women

Improve daily living conditions: Reduce violence and consequently increase productivity,

family functioning, and participation Tracking women’s experiences of lack of respect, and

perceptions of safety

Todd Harper

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au