Critical elements of successful partnership in public health-A case study.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Intersectoral action is integral in promoting population health and health equity. In South Australia, public health partnership authorities (PHPAs) are one mechanism to promote intersectoral collaboration for addressing complex public health issues. This case study examined contemporary evidence on the critical elements of successful partnerships, explored the role of formalisation in success, and examined how identified critical elements were operationalised over time in an existing PHPA. METHODS: In the first phase, a scoping review was conducted. The second phase was a retrospective longitudinal case study of a government-academic PHPA agreement, involving partnership document review and key informant interviews. Data triangulation and iterative thematic analysis were performed. RESULTS: The critical elements of successful partnership, triangulated through multiple data sources, are mutuality, governance, communication, resources, leadership, and interactions and relationships. These elements have a high degree of interdependence. Trust supports and is reinforced by these elements, particularly during times of change or crisis. Formalisation of a partnership supports success in many ways but is insufficient on its own. CONCLUSION: Operating in dynamic environments, a partnership requires dedicated time and effort to be successful. Attention to the strength and interconnectedness of the critical elements over the course of a partnership is crucial. SO WHAT?: This case study describes how the elements of successful partnership can be applied to progress beyond transactional relationships towards authentic collaboration and overcome cross-border and cross-boundary public health challenges to promote population health and well-being.

Harnessing citizen science in health promotion: perspectives of policy and practice stakeholders in Australia.

Citizen science is rapidly gaining momentum as a means of involving members of the public in research and decision-making in disease prevention and health promotion. However, citizen science projects have predominantly been led by academic researchers and there is limited understanding of how to support the application of citizen science approaches in policy and practice settings. This study aimed to understand the perceptions, motivations and early experiences of applying citizen science approaches in policy and practice settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with policy and practice stakeholders who were leading citizen science projects (project partners, n = 7), and their implementation partners (project implementers, n = 11). Participants viewed citizen science as an opportunity to access hard-to-reach data and to enhance engagement with community members to support policy and practice change. Barriers and facilitators of citizen science in policy and practice settings included navigating collaborative relationships, team capacity and resources available to deliver projects, recruitment and engagement of citizen scientists and ethical considerations in the design and implementation of citizen science projects. Findings support the feasibility and wider application of citizen science approaches in health promotion and are being used to inform the development of tools and resources to build capacity in these approaches in policy and practice settings.

A Wellbeing Index for South Australia.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Wellbeing SA, an independent South Australian government agency, developed a Wellbeing Index for South Australia across a 12-month period in 2021-2022 to enable the measurement of wellbeing outcomes for the state. METHODS: The development of the Index was a methodical process based on two key emphases-evidence-based action and working in partnership. The steps included a scoping of existing wellbeing measurement frameworks and then working with a broad range of partner agencies to define the purpose, scope and structure for the Index and subsequently the content (indicators, their measures and the most robust data available). RESULTS: A Wellbeing Index for South Australia was launched in June 2022 on the Wellbeing SA website. It is structured against domains of physical, mental, social/community, Aboriginal cultural wellbeing and the underpinning determinants of wellbeing. CONCLUSIONS: The Index communicates the importance and the breadth of wellbeing outcomes addressed by the various health promotion and policy actors in South Australia and provides a sound basis for monitoring the wellbeing of the community over time. SO WHAT?: Measuring wellbeing is identified by proponents of a Wellbeing Economy as one useful mechanism, alongside legislation, policy and funding, for shaping a broader definition of a successful society. The health promotion community, and their partners, have a role to play in promoting the importance of a broad definition of wellbeing, and in identifying robust and meaningful indicators. This paper offers other jurisdictions insights into the process used, and challenges encountered, in creating the Index.

Public health partner authorities-How a health in all policies approach could support the development of a wellbeing economy.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Collaboration and partnerships across sectors are critical to the realisation of a wellbeing economy. Wellbeing SA-a government agency in South Australia-utilises a partnership mechanism under the state's public health legislation to achieve collaborative action for improved population health and wellbeing: Public Health Partner Authorities (PHPAs). METHODS: The establishment and implementation of PHPAs draws strongly on the principles and practices of South Australia's Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach. This includes the utilisation of cross-sectoral partnerships to facilitate the implementation of co-design and co-benefits principles to deliver policies that support improved population health and wellbeing, while simultaneously delivering other societal benefits. Partnerships also facilitate the sharing of knowledge and resources, and the creation of joint solutions to complex policy issues. RESULTS: PHPAs have been reported to offer a valuable, evidence-based and practical mechanism for embedding key concepts of wellbeing into the policies, practices and programs of other sectors, and provide the potential as one important tool for the formation of a wellbeing economy. CONCLUSIONS: The achievement of a wellbeing economy is dependent on collaboration within and between sectors, and through strong community engagement. Developing a joint and inclusive understanding of wellbeing and its importance as a societal goal is critical, and can only be achieved through collaborative approaches. The implementation of PHPAs in South Australia has demonstrated the importance of partnerships to address complex issues across sectors, and has identified key elements to successful partnerships. SO WHAT?: South Australia's experience in implementing PHPAs and HiAP has demonstrated how health promotion practice, policy and research that incorporate successful partnerships can support high quality, effective intersectoral collaboration for the benefit of citizens, including some lessons that may be worth considering in the development and realisation of a wellbeing economy.