Australian Global Health Alliance. Statement on the Closure of Vic Health. 8 December 2025. https://ausglobalhealth.org/statement-on-the-closure-of-vichealth/

Australia – and the world – faces rising rates of chronic disease and mental health conditions, widening inequities, increasing misinformation and disinformation, climate change, a retreat from science, and significant pressure on hospitals and health systems. Prevention is the most effective, equitable, and sustainable response to reducing the impact of chronic conditions. It requires long-term thinking, trust, and independent institutions with the ability to lead, convene, and innovate.

Read more: Australian Global Health Alliance. Statement on the Closure of Vic Health

Therefore, the proposed move to absorb VicHealth into the Department of Health raises serious concerns. In Victoria, without VicHealth’s independent, prevention-focused leadership, who will fulfil these essential functions, including meeting the requirements of Australia’s National Preventive Health Strategy 2021-2030?

Globally, VicHealth has driven evidence-based prevention, championed community-based programs, AND held commercial interests to account with significant work made by them around defining and pursuing the commercial determinants of health. The VicHealth-funded Lancet Series on Commercial Determinants of Health has contributed to health equity scholarship, policy, and thinking well beyond Victorian and Australian borders. The Alliance and the global health community at large have benefited enormously from the efforts of a local initiative that has grown into a credible global public good.

“The Alliance therefore calls on the Victorian Government to protect VicHealth’s independence and preserve its role as the strong, impactful and globally respected prevention agency it has been for so long.”

Note: Health Promotion Agencies and proposed End Game proposals are being eliminated or revised to enhance control of preventive actions or to cut costs. Hampering Vic Health’s independence will only make its actions more vulnerable to commercial interests like the tobacco and alcohol industries. Starving health promotion of funding is a typical way that governments destroy fiscally responsible preventive health measures. Research shows that health promotion programs multiply health results and save money that would otherwise have to be spent on costs for chronic disease, disability, and premature death. Stephen Hamann