Multisectoral collaboration and its impact on health and wellbeing

Key messages

• Opportunities to optimise health are potentially missed due to limited evidence around the dynamic and interconnected processes to implementing and sustaining multisectoral collaboration for health.
• We examined ways to effectively implement and sustain multisectoral collaboration while also learning more about the key players (agencies, departments, individuals) and environmental influences. We also gathered evidence on factors and pathways required for multisectoral collaboration to have impact on health and wellbeing outcomes.
• Together with policy makers, the project identified several key elements critical for effective multisectoral collaboration that impacts health and wellbeing outcomes, based on evidence examined:
  • Government leadership that provides a strong formal mandate on working together to address health and wellbeing at federal and state levels and involving community level stakeholders.
  • Upfront financial commitment, leadership and trust for the governance of multisectoral collaboration.
  • Integrated measurement of mutual indicators through monitoring and evaluation across sectors and government.
  • Independent advisory groups to act as change agents who enable action across sectors and local government.
  • Measurement of outcomes and impact from intersectoral collaboration on health and wellbeing.
  • Strong political interest and governance structures ensuring funds for health and wellbeing are allocated across sectors.

The institutionalisation of effective multisectoral collaboration requires action at all stages of the policy cycle and a political lens that is balanced by apolitical support and the environment.