I thought you may be interested in an Australian perspective. There are about 100 CHCs in Victoria , Australia , which are probably a different model in that they are largely state funded but provide a wide range of services and are a platform for lots of State and Federal initiatives. There is a current consultation in process to look at the future of these services particularly in response to the burgeoning demand on public hospitals. The following paper presents an interesting policy position which is very much based on social determinants of health philosophy.

Community Health Services - Creating a Healthier Victoria: Public consultation draft

Available at

www.dhs.vic.gov.au/phkb

Published by Primary and

Community Health Branch

Victorian Government Department

of Human Services

Melbourne Victoria

January 2004

Contents are:

Executive summary iv
Introduction 1
The vision and principles for Community Health Services 3
Guiding vision 3
Principles for planning, delivery and evaluation 3
The benefits of strong community health services 5
Improving health and diverting patients 5
Tackling the causes of ill-health 7
Enhancing the role of general practice 9
Promoting mental health and wellbeing 11
Enhancing planning to meet community needs 12
Improving business systems, efficiency and productivity 13
Strengths and weaknesses of Community Health Services 14
Conclusion 14
Strategic policy initiatives 15
Appendix 1 - Shaping the role of Community Health Services 22
Appendix 2 - Comparative analysis of Community
Health Services in Australia 28
Appendix 3 - WHO principles for primary health care 31
References 32
Common terms and abbreviations 34

Kind regards

Debra O'Connor

Director of Allied Health and Health Promotion
Dianella Community Health
ph 03 8345 5450
mob 0417 690291
fax 8345 5831

-----Original Message-----
From: AnnetteAPenney [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, 8 April 2004 7:42
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [SDOH] Primary Care Cooperatives

I can respond to this topic very easily by simply stating the title of my upcoming thesis work. "Health Status and Outcomes for Patients of Community Health Centres: A Case for Inclusion of the Broader Social Determinants of Health in Addressing Health Issues. A Case Study of Lang's Farm Village Association."

The answer to primary health care delivery woes is CHCs. This model of primary health care addresses all of the social determinants of health by providing access to services that address SDOH. The CHC is an empowerment model and allows for community members to contribute by volunteering their services in any of the many programs offerred if they want to. I will contribute more over the next year on this as my thesis develops.

Thank you for allowing me to contribute to this listserv.

Annette A. Penney, Masters Student
Community Psychology Program
Wilfrid Laurier University
75 University Avenue West
Office N2068, Science Building
Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5
Tel. 519-884-0710 ext.2955

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