On the 30th of July, 2026, the Food Policy stream of RE-FRESH Next Generation brought together a group of representatives from the Commonwealth Government and all Australian state/territory Governments to discuss and share experiences of how to make a strong case for investment in preventive health food policy. The event highlighted that there is now greater recognition of the need for, and benefits of, increased investment in prevention. Strong partnerships are key to translating this into greater commitment and prioritisation of prevention investment. An overview of the Early Intervention Investment Framework (EIIF) was presented, including how it is used to highlight the value of investing early in prevention, and the steps needed to develop a sound business case.
Deakin Health Economics and RE-FRESH: Next Generation have built a strong body of research in this area, including research on resource allocation decision-making processes for preventive health interventions and cost–benefit analysis frameworks for preventive health intervention funding. The policy lab built on this work by bringing together policy actors under Chatham House Rule to gain insights into what is needed in addition to economic evidence, and to develop research agendas that align with policymakers’ needs. In doing so, we can ensure our research meets the needs of policymakers so that they have the evidence they need, when they need it, to further strengthen investment in preventive health food policies that have the greatest benefits to population health and are economically sound.
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