A call by a task force set up by the federal government for large cuts in smoking, drinking and obesity rates, have received widespread support in Australia.
A call by a task force set up by the federal government for large cuts in smoking, drinking and obesity rates, have received widespread support in Australia.
The Preventative Health Taskforce Friday called for a 9 per cent cut in daily smoking, a 30 per cent cut in harmful drinking and a reversal of obesity rates.
Childhood Obesity
Diseases that were ‘Adults only’ now have a special preference for children. The cause is no great mystery and we all know it -childhood obesity
Diseases that were ‘Adults only’ now have a special preference for children. The cause is no great mystery and we all know it -childhood obesity
The Heart Foundation's Maurice Swanson agrees that these strategies will work.
Australian Medical Association president Dr Rosanna Capolingua says only 2 per cent of the total health budget is focused on prevention and there needs to be new funding.
"If you're looking at nationwide campaigns around obesity, if you're looking at legislation around controlling junk food advertising, proper labelling of food - it's not there," she said.
"It wasn't there with the previous government and this government hasn't increased the funding.
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Australia Ignoring Child Health Crisis, Expert Warns
A leading Australian expert has warned that the country is ignoring the mounting child health crisis in the country and said it is doing so only at its peril.
A leading Australian expert has warned that the country is ignoring the mounting child health crisis in the country and said it is doing so only at its peril.
The preventative health taskforce’s first discussion paper outlines some strategies on reversing the effects of chronic illnesses caused by obesity, smoking and drinking.
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Australia Mulls Graphic Warnings on Alcoholic Drinks to Combat Binge Drinking
Australia's Health Minister Nicola Roxon Monday said the government was considering placing graphic warning labels on alcoholic drinks to combat the nation's urge to drink heavily.
Australia's Health Minister Nicola Roxon Monday said the government was considering placing graphic warning labels on alcoholic drinks to combat the nation's urge to drink heavily.
For smoking, the paper calls on more regulation for the tobacco industry including an end to all forms of promotion, and a significant increase in the cost of cigarettes.
The taskforce also wants a restriction on the opening hours of alcohol outlets as well as a curb on alcohol advertising and to change the cultural place drinking has in Australia.
It also recommends a tailored approach to addressing health problems in Indigenous and disadvantaged communities.
Source-Medindia
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