Media Releases
Chief Medical Officers agree to look at health risks of boxing
All State and Territory Chief Medical Officers, except for the Northern Territory, met by telephone hook-up today at the invitation of the Federal Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor John Mathews, to discuss the health impact of professional boxing.
30 April 2001
Chief Medical Officers agree to look at health risks of boxing
All State and Territory Chief Medical Officers, except for the Northern Territory, met by telephone hook-up today at the invitation of the Federal Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor John Mathews, to discuss the health impact of professional boxing.
The meeting was held following concerns expressed by Federal Health Minister, Dr Michael Wooldridge, at the recent deaths of boxers during professional fights.
Professor Mathews said there was a clear consensus of concern about the harm to health caused by professional boxing, in particular head injuries were considered an important issue.
"It was acknowledged that the powers to regulate boxing often rested with sports, tourism and recreation portfolios rather than the health portfolios," Professor Mathews said.
"There was no general consensus for a ban on boxing, and it was pointed out that head and spinal injuries from other martial arts and from other sports would probably outnumber those from boxing.
"However, the meeting decided to meet again in about three weeks to explore the possibility of a national approach to the harm caused by boxing, taking into account the recommendations of studies already undertaken by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Standing Committee on Recreation and Sport, which reports to all State and Territory Sports Ministers."
Media inquiries: Kay McNiece, Office of the CMO, 0412 132 585
