Taking up the fight against chronic disease and obesity

19 December 2011

A new agreement has been announced providing more than $100 million of National Partnership on Preventive Health funding and other Victorian prevention funding to turn around unhealthy lifestyles in Victoria through a new Prevention Community Model.

"This unique partnership between all levels of government and local communities will benefit more than one million people through an Australian first tailored health plan for each of the 14 localities in Victoria's biggest-ever push for healthier lifestyles," Victorian Health Minister David Davis said today.

Mr Davis said the Prevention Community Model – an obesity and chronic disease prevention plan – would benefit 1.3 million people across 14 municipalities in Victoria.

"While these 14 municipalities will be at the front line of the initiative, all Victorians should adopt a healthier lifestyle," Mr Davis said.

Tailored initiatives will be rolled out in the Ararat, Cardinia, Central Goldfields, Bendigo, Dandenong, Geelong, Hume, Knox, Latrobe, Mildura, Pyrenees, Whittlesea, Wodonga and Wyndham municipalities.

Detailed demographic and health data from the Victorian Population Health Survey will be used to determine the key health challenges in each of these municipalities. This information will then allow communities to tailor initiatives to address those health issues.

Some of the key underlying causes of preventable chronic illness include smoking, poor nutrition, alcohol misuse and physical inactivity.

Federal Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek said the 14 municipalities covered 520 schools, 938 early childhood services, and almost 1,500 businesses.

"Being able to work closely with local government, schools, workplaces and the community gives us a unique opportunity to take up the fight to improve health and wellbeing," Ms Plibersek said.

"There will be a range of programs to ensure healthy choices are easy for individuals, families and communities, and each of the communities will have a vital role in determining what best suits their local needs," Mr Davis said.

The programs will be rigorously evaluated by the Centre of Excellence in Intervention and Prevention to determine their suitability for their broader application across Victoria where similar challenges exist.

Further information

For further information, visit the department’s Prevention and Population Health website.