Victorians achieve and maintain good physical and mental health. They are safe from harm.
Victoria’s health challenges are growing
Keeping Victorians healthy and safe helps create a productive and thriving society. Good health allows Victorians to work, learn and engage fully with their communities.This adds to Victoria’s social wellbeing and economic prosperity.
Victoria faces several health challenges. These include an ageing population and rising health costs.An ageing population has led to a rise in the frequency of chronic health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, dementia and heart disease. These complex, long-term conditions can place more demand on health services.
There were 546,000 emergency department visits in Victoria in 2023–2024 that could have been avoided if they were managed in primary care or community health.Many of these were related to chronic conditions.
Victorians’ health is influenced by where and how people live and work.A person's social circumstances can also affect their health.Social exclusion, low incomes and limited access to education and other services can worsen their mental and physical health outcomes throughout their life.
Infrastructure can help to reduce these risks. Buildings like hospitals and community health facilities provide access to essential healthcare services. Public open spaces such as parks and sports fields, and walking and cycling paths give people opportunities for exercise.Digital technologies can also offer new ways to connect people with the services they need.
Infrastructure can help prevent illness and injury
Preventive health measures can save money and help reduce demand on the hospital system.Reducing risky lifestyle factors could prevent almost 40% of disease.Many chronic diseases are linked with diet and physical activity.
Access to the right types of infrastructure can help Victorians be healthier and happier.Outdoor sports facilities, walkable neighbourhoods and areas that are safe to cycle in can increase physical activity and social connection.
For every $1 invested in walking and cycling infrastructure, the community receives up to $7 in health, economic and environmental benefits.Investing in walking and cycling infrastructure can reduce noise and pollution while lowering the risk of conditions like heart disease, stroke and diabetes.By encouraging healthy lifestyles, infrastructure can help reduce demand on public hospitals.
But not everyone has the same access to open space and sports fields (see Figure 12). Some Victorians have limited opportunities for outdoor exercise, potentially increasing their risk of developing chronic disease.
Figure 12: Many Victorians cannot access outdoor sports fields within a 10 minute walk
Source: Arup, Social infrastructure accessibility mapping – outdoor sport fields, report to Infrastructure Victoria, 2024, p 3, accessed 6 December 2024.
Access to health infrastructure in Victoria is unequal
Access to healthcare in Victoria also varies depending on where people live. For example, people living in outer suburbs and regional areas sometimes have fewer services, less consistent care and must travel further to reach them.Chronic diseases and unintended overdose deaths are more common among people living in regional areas.These risks are worse among some groups including First Peoples and culturally diverse communities.
Community health services provide primary and preventive healthcare targeted to Victorians who are experiencing poverty or homelessness.This can include vital dental services, mental health services and support for people to manage ongoing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes.
Victoria’s prisons also provide healthcare and mental health services.These services help prisoners rehabilitate and reduce reoffending.
Improving access does not always mean building new hospitals and other infrastructure. Innovative service models and digital technology can transform service delivery. Digital healthcare can help public hospitals work more efficiently and ease demand on limited infrastructure.For those in regional areas, digital healthcare can allow patients to receive care closer to home, reducing patient travel and costs.
Explore the other strategy objectives
First Peoples have self-determination and equal outcomes to other Victorians
