There will now be a new independent health agency, Preventive Health SA, which will lead initiatives aimed at reducing the prevalence of preventable health issues such as obesity, smoking, alcohol misuse, and mental health problems.

The agency is mandated to collaborate with various sectors (government and non-government) to develop evidence-based policies, collect health data, monitor public health trends, and report on outcomes to guide further action.

A new Preventive Health SA Council will be established to provide expert advice and guidance to the agency’s leadership

The agency is required to collect and monitor population health data and publish reports on key public health metrics. This includes evaluations of preventive health policies, programs, and services to track their effectiveness in reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases like obesity, smoking-related conditions, and mental health issues.