Health Report - Separate stories podcast VicHealth closure a blow for preventative health
Dec 12, 2025
The discussion highlights the looming threat to VicHealth's independence as the Victorian Government plans to absorb it, jeopardizing its crucial role in public health. They explore the foundational history of VicHealth and its unique funding model. The conversation shifts to the U.S. advisory committee's controversial recommendation to halt hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns, which raises significant public health concerns. Experts urge that such changes could have severe implications for chronic infection rates and liver cancer.
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Independence Enabled Bold Prevention
- VicHealth's independence let it challenge big commercial interests and drive prevention wins in Victoria since 1987.
- Absorbing it into the Department of Health risks losing that independent ability to confront tobacco, alcohol, gambling and junk-food influences.
How VicHealth Was Funded
- VicHealth was funded by a hypothecated tobacco tax that paid for buying out unhealthy advertising and prevention programs.
- This self-funding approach let it act without relying on government budgets and pursue public-health initiatives early on.
Push To Preserve Prevention Capacity
- Pressure the Victorian government to keep VicHealth independent to protect prevention work from commercial influence.
- Support calls from past chairs and public health leaders who warn against resorption into government.