Community feedback on a new school-based program to help improve health outcomes for young people has been invited by the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Meegan Fitzharris.
The Year 7 Health Check will monitor risk factors for chronic diseases such as overweight and obesity, and assess the emotional wellbeing of the students.
“Prevention is the key to improving health outcomes, especially for young people, so it’s important that we have ways of identifying potential health issues and needs early on so we can support our young people to live healthy, happy lives,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“We know the transition to secondary school is an important life stage in a child’s development, which is why we plan to introduce a Year 7 Health Check later this year, but first we are keen to hear from the community — particularly parents — about what matters to them to improve the health and wellbeing of children.”
She said the Year 7 Health Check would involve an assessment of healthy weight by measuring weight and height, as well as an electronic survey to assess emotional wellbeing and associated risk factors.
She said parents or legal guardians must consent for their child to participate.
“The Year 7 Health Check is important because it will be used to assist young people at higher risk of chronic disease or in need of more emotional support, and connect them with appropriate resources and services,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“It complements existing health services provided to this cohort of students, including the High School Immunisation Program.”
She said it would also add to the health screening that took place earlier in a child’s life through the Kindergarten Health Check, which monitored health risk factors at school entry, including vision and hearing.
She said ACT Health will continue to work closely with the education sector on how the Year 7 Health Checkwill be rolled out.
The consultation is open until 3 April and comments can be submitted at this PS News link.
