Health is a priority issue for South Australian young people in the upcoming state and federal elections. Many health issues and health altering behaviours begin in youth and can affect the rest of a young person’s life. Therefore, it is important that young people are supported to develop good health, positive body image, and build constructive approaches to future health.
The benefits of ensuring young people are supported to build and maintain good health are broad, helping not just young people but the entire community. Good health supports young people to achieve educational goals, find full employment, and allows them to actively engage in their community. There are several social determinants that impact young people’s health including employment, urban design, and socioeconomic status and it is important these factors are considered when making policy decisions. Socioeconomic disadvantage can affect long-term health with those most disadvantaged in South Australia being twice as likely to have a long-term health condition.
As the cost of living rises, especially in relation to housing, we can expect poorer health outcomes as people disadvantaged in housing, education, and employment are more likely to have poor health outcomes due to the interconnected nature of these factors. Stress, decreased wellbeing, and anxiety are also damaging to health which is concerning as at least 46 percent of South Australian young people report feeling stress most to all of the time.
In recent years, South Australia’s health system has had a lot of attention. Ramping, which is when an ambulance is off the road and paramedics stay with a patient until they are admitted to hospital, has increasingly dominated headlines since 2017 when the ambulance union reported 18 ambulances ramped at the Royal Adelaide Hospital at one time. At the time in 2017, all metropolitan hospitals were under a ‘code white’. This code is called when services and patient safety could be compromised as no hospital beds are available. High demand on hospitals has continued throughout the pandemic and into the state election with another ‘code white’ called just 4 days before election day. This continued excessive demand on hospital services limits accessibility. Affordability is also a significant barrier for young people accessing healthcare. This includes the direct cost of services as well as indirect costs like transport to services which is especially applicable for young people living regionally and rurally. For young people living with existing intersectional disadvantage, like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, young people living with a disability and LGBTQIA+ young people, experiences of judgement, stigma, or discrimination can be a barrier to seeking healthcare. Facilitating supportive and welcome environments and training staff to provide services with a non-judgemental and understanding approach can better support vulnerable young people and their engagement with healthcare services.
These circumstances need to be addressed but also, young people need greater control over their health and options for healthcare and must be supported to be informed and involved in decision-making that affects them. Young people need to be supported to actively participate in policy decision-making processes that impact their health and healthcare throughout all levels of the healthcare system to ensure appropriate targeted responses and services are accessible.
