Five Canberra charities will receive more than $1.3 million over the next three years from the ACT Government to reduce risky health behaviours.
Companion House will receive $103,921 for its Sharing and Learning program, which prevents and reduces the harms associated with alcohol in the community.
The Forcibly Displaced People Network will receive $213,855 for its Safe and Healthy program, which increases the sexual health literacy of LGBTIQ+ migrants and refugees.
Hepatitis ACT will receive $457,418 to run Reach, Teach, Treat, Thrive, which helps to cure people with Hepatitis C.
Meridian will receive $369,270 to address gaps in sexual health information for sub-population groups in the LGBTIQ+ population, and to educate health practitioners about these groups’ specific sexual health needs.
Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) will receive $249,700 to run the Interface program, which informs young people about sexual and bloodborne viruses.
The Healthy Canberra Grants funds community-based activities to improve the health of Canberrans. The grants are part of the ACT Preventive Health Plan 2020-2025, which seeks to improve the health of Canberrans through every stage of life.
The plan recognises that community groups and non-government organisations provide targeted programs through their understanding of their clients’ specific needs, said Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Minister for Health.
Although Canberrans enjoy one of the longest life expectancies in the world, many Canberrans live with preventable illness or disease, the minister said.
“The expertise of community organisations and the existing relationships they have with their clients enables them to effectively reach more people who need support, education or treatment.
“Yesterday, on World Condom Day, I was pleased to join with Meridian and Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT to talk about all the great projects we are working on together to prevent, raise awareness of, and treat sexual health conditions in the ACT.
“These and other successful community sector partners are well known and respected in delivering important campaigns to improve the health of our community and provide targeted support to sub-population groups where there is evident need.”
