Introduction:
High prevalence of chronic conditions remain a challenge in Queensland, particularly in rural areas where individuals often travel long distances to access care. Many chronic conditions share modifiable risk factors that can prevent, delay, and support management of disease. Wellness my Way is a community-led social prescribing initiative piloted in South West Queensland, designed to encourage individuals to complete a digital health assessment, receive telephone-based coaching, and connect with locally accessible programs that support health-promoting behaviours.
Method:
Wellness my Way simplifies prevention access for the community, by offering a single entry point to preventive care, and integrating across health and community settings. Two key implementation methods were used to activate the community including the recruitment of ‘Connectors’ across the region to raise awareness and engagement, and a localised marketing campaign featuring locals from South West Queensland. Connectors received tailored resources to assist in promoting the program.
Free or low-cost prevention programs were mapped through stakeholder consultation, providing the telephone coach workforce with the tools to refer and signpost consumers to appropriate programs based on their health needs and personal priorities.
Results:
Eleven organisations participated in the pilot as Connectors, embedding the program within their organisations and communities, and growing the network of connectors across their region. The program has strengthened community relationships by breaking down silos and encouraging collaboration between organisations across settings.
Stakeholder feedback shows that Wellness my Way is an acceptable approach to integrate prevention within organisations and communities. Preliminary findings indicate that the program is well received by consumers, and has contributed to increases in prevention program referrals and uptake in South West Queensland.
Discussion:
Wellness my Way fostered trust, shared goals, and collective ownership of prevention, demonstrating that community-led social prescribing can enhance access to local health-promoting programs and contribute to more connected, prevention-focused communities.