Prevention back on the health reform agenda
Prevention is back in the spotlight with the announcement by the Minister for Health and Aging, Nicola Roxon, that twelve local government areas have been selected to pilot community based approaches to tackling obesity under the $72m Healthy Communities program, according to the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance.
“This announcement is an encouraging sign of the government’s commitment to take action on preventative health at a time when prevention seems to have fallen off the agenda in the health reform debate,” said Alliance Chair, Professor Ian Olver.
Professor Olver said that the announcement was a welcome step forward in the battle to rein in Australia’s rising levels of obesity which is which is a major risk factor for developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease and some cancers.
“I am particularly pleased that the sites selected target those communities that need the most help because of their high levels of obesity and social disadvantage,” Professor Olver said.
“However much more needs to be done if we are going to make a real difference to Australia’s burgeoning obesity rates,” Professor Olver said.
“We have a blueprint for action in the preventive health strategy recommended by the National Preventative Health Taskforce last year,” Professor Olver said. “This strategy provides a comprehensive multi-sector approach that addresses the many factors contributing to rising obesity rates and has the support of public health groups across the nation.”
“Community based programs for tackling obesity were among the recommendations made by the Taskforce as part of this strategy,” Professor Olver said.
“We hope that today’s announcement is a precursor to further action in line with the Taskforce recommendations.”
“Unless we take comprehensive action now a staggering 17 million Australians will be overweight or obese by 2025, chronic disease rates will sky rocket, life expectancy will drop and the burden on the health system will become unsustainable” Professor Olver said.
“With COAG due to discuss health reform at its upcoming meeting, I strongly urge all parties to put the health of Australians first and get on with the job of implementing the preventive health strategy recommended by the Taskforce,” Professor Olver said.
