10 March 2020
A new Health and Wellbeing Framework designed to help improve Islanders wellbeing and mental and physical health has been published.
Over the next two decades the number of common health conditions are likely to rise as the population ages and the number of people living on the Island increases. The framework focusses on how to prevent illnesses by addressing the root cause of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, anxiety and depression.
The first Health and Wellbeing Framework for Jersey will oversee and coordinate broader health and wellbeing related strategies, providing the foundations for collaboration between government, parishes and the community and voluntary sectors.
The framework will allow health, wellbeing and the prevention of illness to be balanced against wider issues and policies across government, in the effort to improve health and ensure sustainable wellbeing for all Islanders.
Senator Steve Pallet, Assistant Health Minister said: “The new Health and Wellbeing Framework gives us an opportunity to work across areas of government not traditionally involved in health and wellbeing, to maximum the potential to promote and prioritise prevention of ill health."
“While we fully intend to continue offering gold standard health services to treat disease, we know that prevention is more cost-effective than cure, and we must now pay more than just lip service to the prevention agenda.”
A new Political Oversight Group endorsed by the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers will provide direction and coordinate government action and progress.