Diabetes Australia CEO A/Professor Greg Johnson said it was critical Australia devoted more effort and funding to prevention to reduce the burden of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes before they cripple the Australian health system.

“Diabetes is the single biggest challenge confronting Australia’s health system and we have to act to reduce the number of people developing type 2 diabetes,” A/Professor Johnson said.

“The size and complexity of the problem requires a coordinated national approach that looks at a range of factors including healthy nutrition, healthy levels of physical activity, and maintaining healthy weight.

“We welcome the plan’s focus on boosting rates of physical activity as well as improving nutrition outcomes through better education, improved access to fresh fruit and vegetables and the expansion of the Health Star Rating system for processed and packaged foods.”

Obesity Policy Coalition Executive Director Jane Martin said action on preventable risk factors for chronic disease is well overdue.

“With more than 27% of Australia children overweight or obese, acting to reduce the impact of obesity in this demographic is essential,” Ms Martin said.

“It is also important that the Health Star Rating system appears on all packaged foods as soon as possible to empower people to make healthier choices at a glance when they are shopping.

“Faster action to reduce added sugar in processed foods is important given its impact on health and because much of it is hidden in products like sauces, yoghurts and ready meals.”

A/Professor Johnson said the plan aligned with many elements of the National Diabetes Strategy 2016-2020 released in late 2015.

“It is important that new initiatives are coordinated with existing chronic disease prevention programs such as the Victorian Government’s Life! Program,” he said.

“We need more states and territories to partner with the Commonwealth to deliver comprehensive diabetes-prevention initiatives that link with a national framework and stronger national public health policies.

“Specific programs targeted at high risk groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and culturally and linguistically diverse populations are also important.”
A/Professor Johnson said it was pleasing to see Diabetes Australia’s advocacy work acknowledged by the ALP.

“These are actions that a number of key national health bodies, including Diabetes Australia, the Obesity Policy Coalition and the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance have been advocating for a number of years,” he said.

About the Obesity Policy Coalition
The Obesity Policy Coalition is a group of leading public health agencies who are concerned about the high levels of overweight and obesity, particularly in children.
The Obesity Policy Coalition is a partnership between Diabetes Victoria, Cancer Council Victoria and the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention at Deakin University, with funding from VicHealth. For more information visit www.opc.org.au