Background
Rural Health Week began as a collaboration between the University Department of Rural Health and the Department of Health & Human Services. This initiative has since expanded to include:
Australian Department of Health and Ageing
Department of Education, Tasmania
Rural Health Week builds on regional health promotion events such as the Deloraine Health Expo and the Huon Valley Health Week which was staged in 2004.
Rural Health Week aims:
- to promote and celebrate rural health as an important component of state-wide health priority areas;
- to increase awareness within rural communities about rural health issues and the importance of a preventative approach to their health through rural health week activities and established programs within the community;
- to provide an opportunity for communities to showcase programs and activities aimed at improving health and wellbeing; and
- to acknowledge the achievements of rural communities in enhancing the health and wellbeing of their communities.
Its objectives are:
- for communities to be more aware of the role of the health professional in rural areas;
- to establish a forum(s) for sharing knowledge and ideas on health and wellbeing between and within communities;
- to increase awareness of the range of programs and activities available in local communities that are dedicated to improving health and wellbeing; and
- to encourage rural services and residents to work together to make improvements to the way of life and health of rural people