New Year’s Resolutions get a Helping Hand

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PDF printable version of New Year’s Resolutions get a Helping Hand (PDF 17 KB)

5 January 2011

New Year’s resolutions to get active, eat well and quit smoking will be promoted throughout the year and beyond by the Australian National Preventive Health Agency, which was formally established on 1 January 2011.

“We know that preventative health measures work, that’s why we are supporting Australians who are ready to get active, eat well and adopt healthier lifestyles”, the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon said.

“Keeping healthy and out of hospital is a key focus for the Gillard Government and this is supported by our $872 million investment in preventative health – the largest single investment ever of its kind.

“Potentially avoidable diseases account for around 20 per cent of Australia’s total health care expenditure and with more than 60 per cent of Australians aged over 18 either overweight or obese, there has never been a more important time to tackle preventable diseases.

“Supporting Australians to avoid chronic diseases by leading healthier lifestyles and reduce the burden on our health system is common sense”, Ms Roxon said.

“Already, government action such as increasing the tobacco excise and our support of campaigns like Measure Up and community prevention initiatives such as healthy cooking classes, community vegetable gardens, walking and bike tracks are making a difference around the country.”

Ms Roxon also announced the appointment of Dr Rhonda Galbally AO as transitional Chief Executive Officer of the Agency. Dr Galbally will act as transitional CEO until the Government completes the full CEO recruitment process.

Dr Galbally has extensive health and management experience, including as the inaugural CEO of VicHealth for ten years where groundbreaking work was delivered in areas such as tobacco control, food and nutrition, and exercise and activity.

More recently, Dr Galbally has been the CEO of Our Community, a world-leading social enterprise that provides advice and tools for Australia’s 700,000 community groups and schools, and practical linkages between the community sector and the general public, business and government.

Announcing the appointment, Ms Roxon said the first task for Dr Galbally would be to develop five-year strategic and annual operational plans to be considered by all Australian health ministers.

“These plans will set out the key strategic priorities for the agency,” Ms Roxon said.

“This agency will be the Government’s leading adviser on preventive health issues. I look forward to working with Dr Galbally to start this important work.”

“This is an exciting opportunity for the Agency to work with the new Medicare Locals to tailor preventative health initiatives for individual communities.”

The Australian National Preventive Health Agency will bring together some of the best expertise in Australia to gather, analyse and disseminate the latest evidence on ways to prevent chronic disease.

The agency will lead the fight against preventable diseases through preventive health initiatives targeting obesity, along with alcohol, tobacco and other substance abuse.

The agency is established under the Australian National Preventive Health Agency Act 2010, which was passed by the Parliament in November 2010.

For more information, contact Ms Roxon’s Office: (02) 6277 7220