Australian Federal, State and Territory Policy on the Health and Wellbeing of Young People: A Scoping Review

Waller, D; Brooks, F; Perry, L; Kang, M; Steinbeck, K

Australian Federal, State and Territory Policy on the Health and Wellbeing of Young People: A Scoping Review

Waller, D

Brooks, F Perry, L

Kang, M

Steinbeck, K

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Publisher:: ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Health Policy, 2021, 125, (8), pp. 1065-1076
Issue Date:: 2021-05-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Waller, D https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4140-6923
dc.contributor.author	Brooks, F
dc.contributor.author	Perry, L https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8507-1283
dc.contributor.author	Kang, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9438-2518
dc.contributor.author	Steinbeck, K
dc.date.accessioned	2021-08-20T07:34:22Z
dc.date.available	2021-05-25
dc.date.available	2021-08-20T07:34:22Z
dc.date.issued	2021-05-01
dc.identifier.citation	Health Policy, 2021, 125, (8), pp. 1065-1076
dc.identifier.issn	0168-8510
dc.identifier.issn	1872-6054
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150187
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Background</h4>The health and wellbeing of young people are critical for the future of society but the extent to which they are addressed by overarching Australian Federal, State and Territory health policy is difficult to determine. Analysing high-level youth health policy will help establish how Australian governments are articulating and prioritising issues and may guide local and international health agendas.<h4>Methods</h4>This scoping review aimed to determine the extent, range and nature of Australian high-level government policy focused on the general health and wellbeing of the general population of young people. Policies published by Australian Federal, State, or Territory government departments between 2008 and 2019 were thematically analysed employing Braun and Clark's six-step recursive framework.<h4>Findings</h4>Twelve policy documents met inclusion criteria. Three meta-themes emerged, comprising policy development, youth health challenges, and policy goals. Policy goals fell into three ubiquitous and overarching categories focused on supporting public health, promoting equity, and improving the health system for young people.<h4>Conclusions</h4>A number of youth-specific health policies have been developed by Australian governments in recent years. Whilst goals and strategies are clearly articulated, more can be done to ensure a youth voice in policy development. The policy goals of supporting public health, promoting equity and improving the health system deserve consideration from other countries developing youth health policies.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1134894
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/APP1134894
dc.relation.ispartof	Health Policy
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.healthpol.2021.05.017
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1605 Policy and Administration
dc.subject.classification	Health Policy & Services
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Public Health
dc.subject.mesh	Government
dc.subject.mesh	Health Policy
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent
dc.subject.mesh	Policy Making
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Government
dc.subject.mesh	Health Policy
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Policy Making
dc.subject.mesh	Public Health
dc.title	Australian Federal, State and Territory Policy on the Health and Wellbeing of Young People: A Scoping Review
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	125
utslib.location.activity	Ireland
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
utslib.for	1605 Policy and Administration
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-08-20T07:34:21Z
pubs.issue	8
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	125
utslib.citation.issue	8

Abstract:

Background

The health and wellbeing of young people are critical for the future of society but the extent to which they are addressed by overarching Australian Federal, State and Territory health policy is difficult to determine. Analysing high-level youth health policy will help establish how Australian governments are articulating and prioritising issues and may guide local and international health agendas.

Methods

This scoping review aimed to determine the extent, range and nature of Australian high-level government policy focused on the general health and wellbeing of the general population of young people. Policies published by Australian Federal, State, or Territory government departments between 2008 and 2019 were thematically analysed employing Braun and Clark's six-step recursive framework.

Findings

Twelve policy documents met inclusion criteria. Three meta-themes emerged, comprising policy development, youth health challenges, and policy goals. Policy goals fell into three ubiquitous and overarching categories focused on supporting public health, promoting equity, and improving the health system for young people.

Conclusions

A number of youth-specific health policies have been developed by Australian governments in recent years. Whilst goals and strategies are clearly articulated, more can be done to ensure a youth voice in policy development. The policy goals of supporting public health, promoting equity and improving the health system deserve consideration from other countries developing youth health policies.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150187