Post by St Lukes

An important op ed in today's The Mercury Newspaper by our CEO Paul Lupo. Tasmanians are living longer – but too often, not healthier. Our health system is under unprecedented strain because it is built to manage sickness rather than prevent it. Tasmania now has a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to change course through the Government’s 20‑Year Preventive Health Strategy, backed by bipartisan support and the community. The evidence is clear: investing upstream in prevention delivers better lives, relieves pressure on hospitals, and makes economic sense. Yet less than 3 per cent of health spending currently goes to prevention – despite most chronic disease being avoidable. Closing the growing gap between life expectancy and health span is one of our biggest policy challenges. Done well, prevention can add healthy years to life, improve equity between communities, and create a more sustainable health system. As the State Budget approaches, the choice is stark: keep funding crisis care alone, or show the courage to invest early, consistently and wisely in keeping Tasmanians well. If we get prevention right, the payoff won’t just be years added to life – but life added to years. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gmCjNnjJ