Health charities Australia
Unlike traditional health charities in Australia, we run healthcare-based initiatives via a community-led approach. Find out more & donate online today.
Health charities provide the most vulnerable communities and individuals with essential services, often through developing new treatments or facilitating the delivery of life-saving services and medicine to children and their families in times of crisis.
While Save the Children supports these health charities in their vital work, especially through our healthcare-based programs that focus on maternal and newborn health, our initiatives mainly focus on improving the well-being of children via a community-led approach. This empowers locals to address their health needs, ensuring sustainable and culturally relevant solutions with lasting impacts.
Learn how you can support Save the Children in tackling major issues, providing emergency aid, connecting those in need with support, and addressing the root causes of health inequities.
Why we focus on community-led healthcare
Involving locals and the impacted young people in planning and executing programs gives us a better understanding of their needs and how best to meet them. This strategy improves outcomes and has the added benefit of building resilience and connection within the community.
One example of this approach helping communities is helping children and families with cash. As well as providing direct support in times of emergencies our experience and research have shown that cash and voucher assistance are one of the most effective ways to support the recovery of impacted families. After being assessed for vulnerability and need, recipients can spend the money or voucher where it will benefit them most, supporting the local economy and giving people in crisis the opportunity to meet their own needs.
How helping communities reduces health risks
Communities also play a big part in preventing health issues, from strengthening child protection to improving awareness and treatment for preventable illnesses. While sometimes institutionalisation in an orphanage or other place of care may be best for the child, being taken out of family or community groups can have long-term health impacts and delayed or diminished brain development.
In Indonesia, our Family First Program worked with communities and care providers to protect more than 1,000 boys or girls from the risks of institutional care via adoption, reuniting with their families, or foster care. In addition to helping the community foster healthy development, the program also introduced referral systems for children in care to access healthcare and other services.
Save the Children's emergency health unit
Sometimes immediate aid is required in times of crisis, through your support Save the Children's Emergency Health Unit delivers rapid, quality public healthcare for children and their families affected by climate disasters, conflicts, and fast-spreading disease outbreaks. Our four rapid response teams, consisting of health and operational specialists, are equipped with mobile clinics, field hospitals, life-saving drugs, and high-energy nutrition supplements.
Health charity programs in Australia
Our children's well-being initiatives in Australia aim to improve developmental health by providing a loving, supportive, and safe environment. Key areas of development include:
- Social & emotional development
- Family violence prevention
- Children with additional needs
- Substance abuse prevention
- Access to necessary services and support
Better health for mothers and children
According to the World Health Organisation, complications arising from pregnancy and childbirth are among the leading causes of death for girls aged 15–19 years old globally. A lack of access to healthcare and high rates of child marriage pose serious challenges for mothers and children in regions across the world. Our work on Maternal, Newborn & Child Health in Ethiopia reached more than 100,000 children each year with health services and information on these issues, giving children the chance to achieve a happy, healthy future.
Help our children’s health charity today
By using community-led initiatives, comprehensive healthcare programs, and prioritising mental health, Save the Children Australia improves children's health. Your support is crucial for continuing this important work.
Support Save the Children Australia to make a real difference in children's lives. By making a single or regular donation online you can make a real difference today. Together, we can ensure every child thrives.