Snapshot of Priority Populations in Tasmania

News from Primary Health Tasmania:

Assessing need and determining local priorities is a key part of Primary Health Tasmania’s work. We do this by collating and analysing data and through our annual needs assessment activities. We consult experts – including service providers and consumers – so that our analysis is well informed when making decisions on how to use finite resources in a way that will have the best impact and outcome for those with the greatest need.

A range of statistics, insights and other information is collated to provide an evidence base for improvement activities. From our data, we understand that Tasmanians still rank poorly compared with other Australian states and territories on many health measures. In addition to this, Tasmania is home to a regionally dispersed population of over 560,000 people and socioeconomic disadvantage is prevalent across the state.

Access to health care is problematic for many – particularly older Tasmanians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ people, people experiencing homelessness and for people living with a disability.

Primary Health Tasmania has developed community health checks which present health, wellbeing and demographic information for each of Tasmania’s 29 local government areas. To complement this popular resource we have created a Snapshot of priority populations in Tasmania, which is now available on our website and provides health and data information of:

1. older people
2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
3. people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
4. LGBTIQA+ people
5. people at risk of or experiencing homelessness
6. people living with a disability.

This resource will support healthcare providers, communities, system partners, and consumers in understanding current population-specific health data and information. It highlights activity that Primary Health Tasmania is involved in to support these priority populations and includes links to useful resources and information about the social care and health needs of these groups.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Monique Johnsonmjohnson@primaryhealthtas.com.auor email us at info@primaryhealthtas.com.au