Figures in the latest report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have revealed a few surprises.
It seems when it comes to spending on public health from federal and state government sources, New South Wales (NSW) is bottom of the league.
According to the report with a budget of $64.98 per person NSW falls well below the the national average of $71.40, with Queensland second from last with a budget of $66.80 per person.
While NSW compares favourably on spending for communicable disease control, breast-cancer screening and immunisation, where spending is above average, it is well below the average in areas including cervical cancer screening and health promotion campaigns.
The reports figures show there was a 2.4 drop in federal public health spending between 2004-05 and 2005-06; during that period, the only national alcohol-harm-reduction program was cut, contributing to a 61% drop in drug prevention funding.
Less than 2% of the national health budget was spent on public health in 2005-06, which includes immunisations, sexually transmitted disease control and cancer screening.
Despite the fact that alcohol kills three times more Australians than all illicit drugs, and smoking being the leading cause of preventable death, ten times more money was spent on fighting illicit drug use than preventing alcohol abuse and tobacco control only received $3.6 million to help smokers quit.
The report reveals only $1.2 million was dedicated to harmful drinking in 2005-06, while almost $11 million was spent on dealing with other drugs.
The reports figures show the state's spending in 2005-06 was 91 per cent of the national average and the figures are released at an opportune time as the new Labour Government ramps up the focus on public health.