PHAA welcomes comprehensive Labor prevention policy MEDIA ...

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Jun 18, 2016 - commented to the Sydney Morning Herald his list of demands with his fourth demand to change the emphasis
PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

MEDIA RELEASE 18  June  2016  

 

www.phaa.net.au

 

PHAA  welcomes  comprehensive  Labor  prevention  policy     The  Public  Health  Association  of  Australia  (PHAA)  welcomes  Labor’s  prevention  policy  announced  today   focussing  on  preventing  chronic  disease  by  targeting  poor  nutrition,  physical  inactivity,  tobacco  and   harmful  alcohol  use  said  PHAA  President  Professor  Heather  Yeatman.       “This  policy  will  have  a  major  impact  in  reducing  chronic  diseases  which  are  the  leading  cause  of  illness,   disability  and  death  in  Australia.  Labor  has  listened  and  is  implementing  a  policy  which  shows  a  real   understanding  that  prevention  must  be  a  top  priority  for  our  health  system,”  said  Professor  Yeatman.       The  Healthy  Communities  and  Chronic  Disease  Prevention  plan  was  released  today  and  has  a  five-­‐point   plan  to  prevent  chronic  disease,  with  a  special  focus  on  communities.         “This  commitment  from  Labor  is  a  significant  step  in  improving  the  overall  health  of  Australians  and   preventing  chronic  diseases  including  cardiovascular  diseases,  cancer  and  diabetes,”  said  Professor   Yeatman.                 “Investing  significant  funds  and  resources  into  nutrition,  physical  activity,  tobacco  and  alcohol  will  have  a   major  impact  on  reducing  chronic  disease  in  the  community.  Labor  is  demonstrating  the  national   leadership  and  commitment  that  is  required  to  secure  Australia’s  future  health.         “We  especially  welcome  Labor’s  ‘Healthy  Communities’  plan  to  target  communities  who  need  most   support  to  achieve  the  health  opportunities  that  others  take  for  granted,”  said  Professor  Yeatman.       “PHAA  also  welcomes  the  $20  million  investment  to  revive  the  successful  National  Tobacco  Campaign   together  with  additional  action  to  target  vulnerable  groups  including  Aboriginal  and  Torres  Strait  Islander   people,  people  with  poor  mental  health  and  people  living  in  rural  and  remote  areas.  These  investments   are  a  vital  step  to  closing  the  life  expectancy  gap  in  Aboriginal  and  Torres  Strait  Islander  communities,”   said  Professor  Yeatman.       The  policy  will  also  introduce  a  National  Alcohol  Strategy  targeting  alcohol  advertising  to  children  and   reducing  alcohol  related  harms.  A  recent  survey  conducted  by  the  Foundation  of  Alcohol  Research  and   Education  (FARE)  showed  70%  of  Australians  believe  alcohol  advertising  should  be  banned  on  television   before  8:30pm.       “PHAA  looks  forward  to  a  similar  commitment  from  other  parties.  Today,  Senator  Nick  Xenophon   commented  to  the  Sydney  Morning  Herald  his  list  of  demands  with  his  fourth  demand  to  change  the   emphasis  on  health  care  towards  more  preventative  measures,”  said  Professor  Yeatman.           “Prevention  is  key  to  improving  the  lives  of  all  Australians  and  policies  such  as  these  will  bring  enormous   benefits  to  Australia’s  health,”  concluded  Professor  Yeatman.   For  further  information/comment:   Sophie  Brown  (Heather  Yeatman  comment)    

 

 

 

 

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