Public health interventions: the elephant in the room of the health system crisis

ABSTRACT

Since 2020, the "rules of engagement" for our health system, the expected and relatively predictable level of ill-health in the community, have changed.1 COVID-19 has increased demand for healthcare through multiple pathways. [...]through managing those acutely unwell with COVID-19 infection, which during 2022 has been a significant source of hospitalisation over the three waves. [...]by creating a large burden of "catch up" care needed for those people whose care was delayed due to beds being occupied by those infected with COVID-19. While there is common perception that pub- lic health actions take decades to have impacts, the authors of these blogs identified a wide range of interventions that would have such as vaccination, raising alcohol taxes, lowering drink driving levels, a health-based approach to drug harms, speed limit reductions, increasing benefit levels, alterations to streets to promote cycling and walking and reformulation of processed foods.12-17 These interventions would impact on a wide range of health conditions, both physical and mental.