Future SA Population health needs and issues

Summary

Shelly Horne, Executive Director of System Redesign and Clinician Engagement, presents a forward-looking health and well-being strategy for South Australia. Drawing on comprehensive population data, surveys, and research, she highlights trends such as aging populations, regional growth, chronic disease prevalence, and inequities affecting Aboriginal, rural, and culturally diverse communities. The strategy emphasizes shifting from hospital-centric care to technology-enabled, community- and home-based services. Key priorities include prevention, mental health, dementia, and equitable access, while addressing workforce and system efficiency. The presentation provides a data-driven foundation to inform discussions on shaping a sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready health system.

Takeaways

• Generate key takeaways😀 The focus of the health strategy is shifting from hospital-centric care to a broader health and well-being approach, emphasizing community and technology-enabled care.
• 😀 Population growth is highest in northern suburbs and peri-urban areas, with the over-65 age group increasing fastest, projecting nearly 100,000 more people by 2030.
• 😀 Men are more likely to experience cardiovascular disease, cancer, and higher smoking rates, while women face higher rates of asthma, arthritis, osteoporosis, and mental health conditions.
• 😀 Children show low population growth, with ~25% identified as developmentally vulnerable on at least one factor; child death rates are decreasing, but slower in lower socioeconomic areas.
• 😀 Older adults are increasingly affected by chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, and dementia, often with multiple comorbidities.
• 😀 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations are younger and face earlier onset of heart disease and stroke, with racism and cultural competence being critical issues in healthcare access.
• 😀 Rural and remote populations report good perceived health but experience higher chronic disease risks, smoking, alcohol useKey takeaways generation, obesity, and reduced health-seeking behaviors.
• 😀 Data gaps exist for long-term migrants, older CALD populations, and people within the justice system, limiting tailored health planning for these groups.
• 😀 Health system challenges include rising inpatient and ED demand, high hospital-acquired complications, unplanned readmissions, workforce imbalances, and above-average costs.
• 😀 Surveys and interviews highlight the importance of prevention, mental health support, dementia care, obesity management, equitable access to services, and addressing systemic racism.
• 😀 The strategy aims to leverage new technology, focus on strengths, and incorporate consultation feedback to redesign the system for better population health outcomes.

Q & A

Who is Shelly Horne and what is her role?

Shelly Horne is the Executive Director of System Redesign and Clinician Engagement at the Department of Health and Wellbeing, South Australia. She leads initiatives focused on long-term health system planning and population health strategies.

What is the primary purpose of the work Shelly Horne is leading?

The work aims to shift from day-to-day health management to long-term strategic planning, focusing on population health needs and system redesign over the next 5 to 15 years.

How has the health strategy evolved over time?

It has evolved from a Clinical Services Plan to a Health Strategy and now a Health and Wellbeing Strategy, emphasizing broader population health rather than prescriptive hospital-level planning.

What are the key population growth trends in South Australia?

Highest growth is in northern suburbs, peri-urban areas, and western infill regions. The 65+ age group will see the largest increase, nearly 100,000 people by 2030.

What health challenges are specific to men and women in South Australia?

Men have higher rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and smoking, while women are more prone to asthma, arthritis, osteoporosis, and mental health conditions. Life expectancy is average for men and slightly below average for women.

What are the key health priorities for children?

Low population growth, low birth weight slightly higher than national average, perinatal mortality lower than national average, vaccination rates around Australian average, and 25% identified as developmentally vulnerable in at least one domain.

What health disparities exist for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations?

They have a younger population (average age 23), higher rates of early heart disease and stroke, and face challenges related to racism and cultural competence in healthcare services.

What are the major health system performance concerns identified?

High hospital-acquired complications, unplanned readmissions, increasing demand for inpatient beds, relatively high costs, and gaps in allied health, diagnostic, and administrative workforce despite high numbers of medical and nursing staff.

What insights were gathered from community surveys and interviews?

People rated physical health as the most important issue (35%), mental health at 11%, and noted that health impacts their ability to work or perform activities. There was strong support for prevention, mental health, aging, dementia, obesity, and improved access to services.

How is technology expected to influence health service delivery?

New technologies are allowing care to move back into the community and homes, reversing the historical trend of centralizing care in hospitals, and supporting better access and outcomes for diverse populations.

What gaps exist in health data for specific populations?

Limited information is available for older migrant populations, long-term residents, and people in the justice system. More research is needed to plan effectively for these groups.

What approach is being taken to system redesign based on current data?

The strategy emphasizes a strength-based focus, prevention, addressing disparities, using community input, and leveraging new technology to meet population needs while moving away from the current system structure.