Active living benefits everyone, at all stages of life and helps to prevent and manage chronic disease like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

Important for staying healthy, eating enough fruits and vegetables helps protect your body. On the other hand, eating too much processed food high in sugar, salt, and fat, can lead to long-term diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.

Tobacco use is still the leading contributor to burden of disease and premature deaths in Victoria, despite considerable progress in reducing smoking rates. There are concerns this will increase with the uptake of e-cigarette use.

E-cigarettes are devices that deliver an aerosol by heating a solution that users breathe in. The solution may or may not contain nicotine. Using an e-cigarette is commonly known as ‘vaping’.

Is important for everyone, at all life stages, from puberty to menopause to senior years. It includes reducing the impact of blood-borne viruses, sexually transmissible infections (STI) and managing other health needs.

By prioritising good mental health and wellbeing, we reduce stigma, increase social connection, improve physical health, promote productivity and create safer environments. Our mental health and our physical health are linked.

Climate is a key determinant of health that affects other determinants and health equity. Climate change affects health in many ways – both directly and indirectly. Direct impacts include morbidity and mortality associated with extreme events such as heatwaves, floods, drought and bushfires. Indirect impacts are associated with ecological and land-use change (including changes in the spread of infectious diseases), along with worsening air, food and water quality.

Consumption of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) is a significant preventable cause of disease and death in Victoria. It is associated with a wide range of health and wellbeing impacts.

While the impacts of drug use on health and wellbeing can vary, related harms can impact physical health through increased risk of chronic disease, exposure to infectious diseases, and mental health and wellbeing impacts. Victorian public health and wellbeing plan 2023-2027

Injury covers a broad range of causes include unintentional injury from falls, transport, sport and recreation, drowning, poisoning, burns and consumer product injuries. Injury may also be intentional due to suicide, self-harm and all forms of violence. The impact of injury can be profound for individuals, families and communities, and may result in loss of income and productivity, reduced social participation, physical and psychological impairment, affecting daily living and quality of life.

People who experience violence are affected in all areas of their health and wellbeing. Violence takes many forms including physical, emotional, psychological, financial and sexual violence. It also includes coercive control, intimate partner violence, elder abuse or actions that limit someone’s freedom and independence.