The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care is establishing an Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) to improve Australia’s ongoing response to current and emerging public health emergencies.

Injury Matters was invited to submit a response as part of the consultation process regarding the role and functions of the Australian Centre for Disease Control.

With the ongoing burden that injury places on the health system in Australia and the preventable nature of most injuries, Injury Matters key response related to the need for injury prevention to be prioritised within the scope of the CDC. Injury prevention organisations need adequate access to resourcing to ensure disease and injury prevention activities are equally able to prevent harm collectively to our communities in Australia.

Injury Matters will continue to monitor and advocate for the need for adequate support for our injury prevention workforce and the Western Australian community at large.