Aruma’s Preventive Health Strategy

Aruma, one of Australia’s largest disability service providers, has launched a Preventive Health Strategy to change the future of health support for people with disabilities in Australia.

It’s no secret that people with disabilities, particularly intellectual disabilities, often experience poorer health outcomes than those without. Research tells us that compared to the general population, people with intellectual disability have:

• More than twice the rate of avoidable deaths and a lower life expectancy than people in the general population.
• Twice the rate of emergency department and hospital admissions
• Substantially higher rates of chronic physical and mental health conditions, as well as multiple co-morbidities.
• Significantly lower rates of preventive healthcare.*

To address these alarming statistics, Aruma has worked closely with industry experts, participants and its inhouse Human Rights Advisory Committee to create the Preventive Health Strategy 2025-2027.

It strengthens Aruma’s existing commitment to upholding the rights of people with a disability, providing a ‘whole-system approach’ with a focus on multiple levels ranging from individual behaviours to community settings, social relationships, and broader policies.

As well as addressing the key modifiable behaviours of unhealthy eating and physical inactivity, the Strategy focuses on improving health service access, staff health literacy and ensuring effective monitoring and support for chronic conditions.

Aruma CEO, Dr Martin Laverty, said action on social determinants of health is needed to ensure people with disabilities live long and healthy lives.

“Social determinants are non-medical factors that drive health outcomes. Early childhood development, education, employment, income, housing and social inclusion shape a person’s health. People with disabilities face barriers to these determinants.”

“Committed to overcoming barriers to good health, Aruma’s preventive health strategy is to support people with disability to modify determinants of good health by focusing on health literacy, skills development and health system advocacy,” Dr Laverty said.

Aruma connected with Dr Rachel Skoss, Senior Research Fellow at The Kids Research Institute Australia and Health Program Consultant at Microboards Australia.

Informed by her research and her role as primary carer of a young person with an intellectual disability, Rachel provided expertise in shaping of the strategy.

“It’s everyone’s business to improve preventive health for people with disability. There’s no easy fix and it’s a moral obligation. There are a complex set of activities that all need to be implemented and evaluated to make change. I congratulate Aruma on taking this step, so the people they support have better health outcomes. I hope that other organisations also take notice,” she said.

Lisa Hutchinson, Aruma’s Policy Research & Clinical Governance Manager, has been instrumental in the creation of the strategy.

“The Preventative Health Strategy is a key initiative under Aruma’s Strategic Plan. Our organisation is dedicated to advocating for the rights of our participants. This includes their right to optimal health and wellbeing, equitable healthcare access, and safe and effective health supports.Our Preventive Health Strategy provides a multifaceted roadmap for us to address these issues,” she said.

The three-year plan has been developed in consultation with a broad range of key stakeholders, including people with intellectual disability.

It proactively responds to recommendations by the Disability Royal Commission to address preventive healthcare access and improve the health and wellbeing of people with disability.

About Dr Rachel Skoss

Dr. Rachel Skoss (she/her/hers) is a Senior Research Fellow at the Kids Research Institute Australia, and Health Program Consultant at Microboards Australia. Rachel is a parent of a young person with an intellectual disability, and also carer/consumer representative on various health advisory groups. Rachel authored Health Care For People Who Need Extra Support: a health literacy guide to support the health of people with a cognitive impairment or intellectual disability.

*Citation2021