The name is absent

Van Gool & Bridges

an important part of the SWSAHS work (SWSAHS 1997). Furthermore, it receives
widespread attention in the literature as being an important component of public health
(Rayner 1996, Nutbeam 1998). We may therefore need to view ‘healthy public policy’
as a vital but ‘risky’ form of investment. It is risky in the sense that there is little
evidence on the effectiveness ofhealthy public policy, yet vital in that it has the
potential to deliver high returns.

This friction between the disciplines needs further thought and examination. A major
part of a health promotion unit’s work is aimed at such things as influencing policy and
legislation. But at the same time the economist’s tools are limited to quantifiable
outcome measures only.

Building Partnerships

The SWSAHS does not work in isolation in the prevention of CHD. As outlined in the
“SWSAHS CHD: Health Improvement Plan for Improving Health”, organisations such as
the National Heart Foundation, the NSW and Commonwealth Health Departments, Local
Councils, the Department OfEducation and Training, Community and Ethnic organisations
all have a vital role in the prevention of CHD.

Building partnerships with other organisations can deliver a number of benefits.
Partnerships have the potential to improve the co-ordination of services, improve
targeting, avoid duplication of services, save on costs, increase the likelihood of
sustaining programs and bring in expertise from a wide range of areas. Again, for the
purposes of an economic evaluation, measuring the outcomes will be difficult. The
same three reasons outlined above can be applied here. However, as part of a
diversified portfolio of interventions, it has an important part to play.

Effectiveness and evidence: biomedical, clinical & social behaviour considerations

In health education and health promotion there are three separate stages that can lead to
the success or failure of an intervention. These three stages can be termed biomedical,
clinical and behavioural.

Chere Project Report H- November 1999

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