Australian federal, state and territory policy on the health and wellbeing of young people: A scoping review. Issue 8 (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Waller, Daniel; Brooks, Fiona; Perry, Lin; Kang, Melissa; Steinbeck, Katharine
• Is Part Of: Health policy. Volume 125:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: 1065
• Page End: 1076
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Health -- Policy -- Youth -- Adolescence -- Scoping review; Medical education -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Delivery of Health Care -- Periodicals; Education, Medical -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; Health Planning -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Enseignement médical -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Medical education; Medical policy; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2021.05.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-8510

Abstract

Highlights: A number of Australian youth-specific health policies have been recently developed. Analysis of Australian health policies can assist policy makers from other nations. There is consensus on policy goals for the health of Australian youth. Varying policy strategies have been utilised to target goals and specific populations. Giving youth a voice is important in inclusive health policy formulation. 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.