Heart Foundation welcomes Opposition putting prevention first

The Heart Foundation has today welcomed the Federal Opposition's commitment, if elected, to a $115.6 million investment to promote health and prevent disease.

The preventative health package includes implementing Australia's first National Obesity Strategy.

The strategy includes a $39 million investment to roll out a national anti-obesity campaign over three years, including specific plans to increase physical activity and improve nutrition.

"Giving Australians the best opportunity to stay well, stay alive and stay out of hospital means putting prevention at the centre of Australian healthcare," said Heart Foundation General Manager Advocacy Rebecca Smith.

"Today's pledge by the Federal Opposition is a welcome step in the right direction."

The package focuses on preventing key risk factors that are a significant cause of heart disease and other chronic conditions, including obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity and smoking.

"Heart disease is common, disabling and largely preventable. The early detection of people at high risk is fundamental to tackling our nation's biggest killer and the devastating impact it can have on Australian families.

"We are also pleased to see a focus on Australians who are disproportionately affected by heart disease and preventable illness, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those living in rural and remote parts of Australia.

"This announcement is a welcome boost to the investment of prevention in Australia. We urge all political parties to prioritise cost-effective initiatives to tackle preventable disease, including heart disease."

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