In 1998 the ACT Government released the ACT Sexual Health and Blood Borne Diseases Strategic Plan 1998-2000, the first of its kind in Australia to integrate a strategic approach to the management of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.
Public Health in the ACT 2004-2008 lists communicable diseases as a Health Priority Area for the ACT and identifies blood borne viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) as priorities for action.
Background
The Australian Government released the first National HIV/AIDS Strategy in 1989. The national strategy was underpinned by the principles of individual responsibility for behaviour, supportive legal and social environments, informed consent for testing, human rights protection, participation by all affected people, and working in partnership with stakeholders. Using similar principles, a national strategy for hepatitis C was developed in 1999. These principles have been reaffirmed as central to the recently released:
- 5th National HIV/AIDS Strategy (20052008);
- 2nd National Hepatitis C Strategy (20052008);
- 1st National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy (20052008); and
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sexual Health and Blood Borne
- Virus Strategy (20052008).
HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmissible Infections: A Strategic Framework for the ACT 2007-2012 (the Framework) confirms ACT Health's commitment to the principles outlined in the earlier ACT plans, which are also reflected in the National Strategies. The Framework highlights the commonalities between the approaches outlined in each national strategy, enabling a more coordinated response from ACT Health, Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and other service providers and policy makers. However, the differences between HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmissible Infections and their priority populations are recognised and addressed where appropriate.
While the Framework is not specifically designed to explicitly address the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it does explicitly include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a priority population. To the extent that the strategies listed in sections four to seven of the Framework are effective in improving the health outcomes of priority populations, they will also be beneficial for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Incorporation of priority populations in the implementation plans will also help ensure the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are met in a culturally appropriate, effective and efficient manner.
The Framework is supported by the National Strategies and should be read in conjunction with other relevant documents (see 2.7 Policy Context).
Download
In this section:
- ACT Public Health Services Quarterly Performance Report
- Chief Health Officer Reports
- National Partnership Agreement (NPA)
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander on Pathology Forms
- ACT Surgery Report Card
- Calvary Public Hospital Options
- Elective Surgery Waiting List Reduction Plan
- Health Status of Young People in the ACT 2011
- Mental Health and Wellbeing in the ACT
- Scores on Doors Regulatory Impact Statement
- Annual Reports
- Citizen's Jury on Health Priorities 2010
- Review of Public Maternity Units in the ACT
- ACT Healthcare Survey
- Burnet Institute Report
- Cervical Cytology Register Statistical Report 2008
- Emergency Department Information System Data Integrity Summary Report
- Maternity care intention, duration and rates of breastfeeding
- Reports
- Waiting Lists for Elective Surgery and Medical Treatment
