The Public Health Association of Australia has reacted to the Governments' response to a parliamentary inquiry into diabetes, saying that broad action and a new task force was required to address obesity, with around 6.5 million Australian adults now living with the condition.
The Government response to the State of Diabetes Mellitus in Australia in 2024 was published this week. It provides "support in principle" for nine of the inquiry's recommendations and "notes" 14, but stops short of adopting any proposal.
Association CEO, Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, says that the 2024 inquiry and response highlights the need for the Australian Government be determined and comprehensive in its commitment to tackling the enormous challenges of obesity, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
"The public health community was hoping for a Government response that committed to more direct action," Adj Prof Slevin says.
"Since this inquiry, obesity has overtaken tobacco as our biggest cause of preventable disease burden. Around 6.5 million people in Australia are living with obesity, and 2.5 million are living with severe obesity. One projection suggests 2.2 million kids will be living with obesity by 2050."
A high level obesity taskforce could address issues including action to curb junk food marketing targeting kids; the role of public health campaigns; and access to affordable healthy food. It could also examine foods promoted to the youngest in our community, including toddler foods and toddler formula; the potential benefits of a health levy on sugary drinks, and programs to increase physical activity across the population.
"Now is the ideal time for the government to commit to a high-level government task force to turn these recommendations – as well as other reports focusing on obesity – into real government action," Adj Prof Slevin says.
Adjunct Professor Slevin acknowledges that since the inquiry finished, both Health Minister Mark Butler and Assistant Health Minister Rebecca White have led efforts to help address obesity.
"Some work is underway and is very welcome. A Government funded feasibility report on limiting unhealthy marketing to kids was published last week. Work is advancing on the new Australian Dietary Guidelines, and the Government is also moving towards mandating Health Star Ratings, and closely looking at how we address toddler formula marketing.
"There is also National Food Security Strategy being developed by the Department of Agriculture's National Food Council.
"There has also been wider system efforts to improve access to health care through increased GP bulk billing and urgent care clinics all benefit people with diabetes. Work is also underway to negotiate a price for access to new weight loss drugs for high-risk patients.
"By driving down obesity, we can help Australians live longer and better lives, but standing in the way are junk food companies and their aggressive marketing, and lack of access to affordable healthy food and physical inactivity. The solutions are already in our National Obesity Strategy and the National Preventive Health Strategy.
"And that's why we need government action including a task force."
