AMHC - Role and Functions of an Australian Centre for Disease Control
The Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative (AMHC) supports the establishment of the Australian Centre for Disease Control and stresses the importance of addressing Australia’s cultural and linguistic diversity in its functions. The submission highlights systemic gaps revealed during COVID-19, such as insufficient culturally appropriate communication and data deficits on CALD populations. AMHC recommends creating a standing advisory mechanism within the Australian Centre for Disease Control to ensure the comprehensive inclusion of CALD perspectives in public health initiatives. It advocates for improving health literacy, addressing cultural barriers, and leveraging existing community-based networks for effective engagement.
AMHC emphasises that the Australian Centre for Disease Control must prioritise non-communicable diseases, adopt a “hub and spoke” model for better state-level coordination, and avoid duplicating efforts of other health agencies. The submission highlights the need for culturally responsive public health campaigns, equitable workforce representation, and data collection reforms, including consistent multicultural health metrics. Lessons from COVID-19 demonstrate the value of community-driven approaches, and the AMHC calls for these practices to be institutionalised, ensuring resilience and inclusivity in future health responses.
