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Health matters
The health of a population is not just about the quality and funding of the health system, it is closely linked to the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age and inequities in power, money and resources.
What we do
St Vincent de Paul offers a range of social support services to all those in need. The most common types of assistance provided are visitation, emergency relief and housing support. Services vary by state and territory and include:
- Wrap around social support services including mental health support, counselling, alcohol and other drug services, gambling services and family and domestic violence services
- Disability employment and disability support
- Volunteer social support programs, such as Compeer and other friendship programs
- Various visitation programs including at home, hospitals, prisons and aged care facilities.
Our visitation programs provide companionship and support to those in need and are an important form of social connectedness, particularly for those experiencing ill-health or social isolation.
Find out more
We provide a range of different services.
Advocacy
Research on the social determinants of health demonstrates the close relationship between people’s health and the living and working conditions which form their social environment.
Socioeconomic position (including educational attainment), employment, power and social support act together to strengthen or undermine the health of individuals and communities. Other recognised social determinants of health include early life, social exclusion, unemployment, addiction, food and transportation, housing, the living environment, health services and disability.
Life expectancy follows the social gradient – the more disadvantaged the area the shorter the life expectancy. People in more disadvantaged areas spend more of their shorter lives in ill-health than those in less disadvantaged areas.
Reducing health inequalities requires action in six policy objectives:
Give every child the best start in life
Enable all children, young people and adults to maximise their capabilities and have control over their lives
Create fair employment and good work for all
Ensure a healthy standard of living for all
Create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities
Strengthen the role and impact of ill health prevention
Submissions
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Do you need help?
We're here to help - we offer local services in all states and territories.
Good works
Support the work our Overseas Partnership Program does in Asia and the Pacific.
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