industry & reform
Get with the program
The case for a Mandatory Preventative Health Program .
By Marcus Riley
The need for a new , far more
effective approach to health and ageing services has become urgent across Australian communities . In my view , a Mandatory Preventative Health Program ( MPHP ) is one of the most vital necessities and opportunities for widespread health and wellbeing across our ageing population .
The cracks in the existing system , which focuses on illness and dependency , have grown too wide with inflexibility , accessibility challenges , navigation difficulties and inevitable unaffordability – making the outcomes from it suboptimal for the growing number of system users and service providers within our communities .
Solutions are needed , and they are within reach . New models must be embraced , with innovation an absolute imperative .
There are numerous glaring consequences from the long-term engagement of our poor-performing system . Generally , people ’ s knowledge of the system and what is accessible to them is greatly lacking , as is their knowledge of associated costs and the overall scope of services . Health literacy across the community is well below par . Accurate information about health and ageing is difficult to access , if it exists at all .
Similarly , individuals ’ knowledge of their own health and the cognisance of issues to manage it is inadequate . So too is the actioning of prevention .
These are solvable problems , and solutions must involve interventions at particular stages throughout the course of every individual ’ s life . This would provide a circuit breaker to the existing predicament , and indeed lead to prevention ahead of cures .
The objectives of such a concept include the easing of pressure on a failing health system ( in the broadest sense ), the reduction or prevention of a person ’ s need for ( expensive ) aged and other care , and thirdly to empower people to thrive in later life .
An MPHP would involve a person accessing a funded overall health assessment designed to identify their holistic health status , which could then be used to plan and guide for their enhanced wellbeing and as healthy a future as possible .
A variety of milestones in people ’ s lives could be used to mark these assessments . For example , at a particular phase of someone ’ s life , such as retirement , reaching a particular age ( such as 65 years ), their first access to the age pension or to their superannuation . These are just some of the possibilities and pertinent stages in people ’ s lives that could be very beneficial times to address their health and wellbeing at the time and going forward .
There are a variety of health disciplines that could be endorsed and registered to provide the funded service through inperson consultations .
There are a number of important components that would need to be individually addressed to ensure the success of an MPHP . These include an individual ’ s physical wellbeing , incorporating both biological and physiological health ; as well as their emotional and psychological wellbeing .
Also important is the availability and distribution of information regarding the health and ageing system , network , cover and access , sitting alongside community links .
Other key components include increasing an individual ’ s health literacy through widespread health education to address risks , opportunities and selfmanagement . Also , a social focus designed to promote and foster meaningful
activity that will support the physical and emotional wellbeing of individuals .
When desired or required , the MPHP would provide an introduction to services and assistance , be it proactively or restoratively .
The standard deliverables from an optimal MPHP service would include future planning through recognising factors to monitor , immediate action where required , and identify options to address relevant issues . Also , the production of a high-level health plan templated and standardised across the program , adaptable to the individual . So too , guides to the health system specific to geographic regions combined with capacity to report , assess and plan to share information between personal health providers ( eg GP , allied health providers et al ) as directed by the individual .
In terms of costs , an estimate of less than $ 3,000 per person over 65 years of age is reasonable . Cost factors to be considered include those involved in resources ; marketing , advertising , as well as data collection and collation . Also , the expenses involved with community consultation and engagement , as well as with health professionals and other relevant parties .
Finally , the costs incurred with registering , approving and administering service providers ; and policy , rules and regulations . These financial outlays though should be seen as an investment .
Other important considerations include whether we should start the program at a younger age to potentially benefit from the earlier adoption of preventative measures . Then there ’ s the role that medical insurers and Medicare can play within the system to create ease and effectiveness across the board .
We should also look at how to best use member-based organisations such as National Seniors , the automobile associations and other state bodies to drive the take-up of the system . And the option of paying for more services in this engagement , along with incentives or penalties for engagement take-up should be considered .
An MPHP has become not just an opportunity for the health and wellbeing of our ageing population , but a must-do intervention . ■
Marcus Riley is the director of the Global Ageing Network , author of positive ageing book BOOMING and CEO of BallyCara .
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