Alcohol and other health harms are set to increase and hard-won public health progress wind back if the world's first health promotion foundation, VicHealth, is absorbed into the Victorian Department of Health, according to the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE).
VicHealth has had a standout record in prevention and health promotion, with pioneering reforms that kicked tobacco sponsorship out of sport, and world-leading campaigns to reduce alcohol and gambling harms, improve nutrition and mental health, and boost physical activity and sports participation.
Its independence has made it a critical voice in helping to expose how commercial interests can create high-risk environments, while also addressing health inequities, and supporting marginalised communities.
"An Australia without an independent VicHealth would be one where profit is more often put before community safety, and it will be easier for alcohol, gambling, and unhealthy food companies to use their lobbying power to advance interests that undermine public health," said FARE CEO Ayla Chorley.
"VicHealth has been a nationally and internationally recognised pioneer in health promotion - a leader, funder, collaborator and innovator across impactful initiatives that have changed countless lives across Victoria and beyond.
"The independence of VicHealth is essential, allowing its important work to be a step removed from short-term election cycles that can bolster commercial interests at the expense of community health and wellbeing.
"FARE has been proud to work with VicHealth in this space, on multiple research and reports such as on harmful data-driven marketing of alcohol and gambling products, alcohol consumption by (and marketing to) young people, and Australia's alcohol-related burden of disease.
"VicHealth has consistently stood against the harms caused by alcohol and been a vocal champion for the health of our communities. Now more than ever we need strong health advocates who will support the research that matters, and amplify sound health information.
"Across the world, public health is under threat. Evidence-based policy is under threat. We are facing challenges that are global and impacts that are far-reaching. Now is not the time to risk the future of an entity that has been foundational to so much progress.
"Our call is to keep VicHealth independent and well-funded, for the health of our whole community," she stated.
FARE has joined with other organisations as a signatory to an open letter calling for VicHealth to be retained as a standalone, fully-funded health promotion agency, and a petition and website have been launched by organisations supporting VicHealth's vital role: savevichealth.org.
