• Home
• Archives

Funds for fight against chronic disease

The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments have agreed to target more than $100 million of National Partnership on Preventive Health funding and other Victorian Government health prevention funding to turn around unhealthy lifestyles.

Victorian Health Minister David Davis said the Prevention Community Model – an obesity and chronic disease prevention plan – would benefit 1.3 million people across 14 municipalities in Victoria.

‘While these municipalities will be at the front line of the initiative, all Victorians should adopt a healthier lifestyle,’ Mr Davis said.

‘Tailored initiatives will be rolled out in the Ararat, Cardinia, Central Goldfields, Bendigo, Dandenong, Geelong, Hume, Knox, Latrobe, Mildura, Pyrenees, Whittlesea, Wodonga and Wyndham municipalities.’

Detailed demographic and health data from the Victorian Population Health Survey will be used to determine the key health challenges in each of these municipalities.

This information will then allow communities to tailor initiatives to address those health issues.

Some of the key underlying causes of preventable chronic illness include smoking, poor nutrition, alcohol misuse and physical inactivity.

Commonwealth Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek said the 14 municipalities covered 520 schools, 938 early childhood services and almost 1,500 businesses.

‘Being able to work closely with local government, schools, workplaces and the community gives us a unique opportunity to take up the fight to improve health and wellbeing,’ Ms Plibersek said.

Mr Davis said an important part the program was the ability to measure improvements in the overall health of each of these communities as a result of this initiative and to chart specific improvements in health and wellbeing.

‘There will be a range of programs to ensure healthy choices are easy for individuals, families and communities and each of the communities will have a vital role in determining what best suits their local needs.

‘These programs will be based on the best scientific evidence available.

‘Research shows a healthy lifestyle in a child’s formative years plays a major role in taking a healthy lifestyle into adulthood.

‘So, under this initiative, there will be a focus on local programs specifically designed to improve children’s health and wellbeing.

‘Programs will also target adults who have tapered off their health and fitness and encourage them to take the steps needed to restore their lifestyle and wellbeing.’

These programs will be rigorously evaluated by the Centre of Excellence in Intervention and Prevention to determine their suitability for their broader application across Victoria where similar challenges exist.