National Preventive Health Strategy

The Australian Medical Association has asked the Australian Government to commit adequate resources to its proposed long-term national preventive health strategy, and work with GPs to help improve the health of all Australians.

“Preventive health measures reduce the rate of chronic ill health and improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians, leading to better and healthier lives,” Dr Bartone said.

“As a nation, we spend woefully too little on preventive health – around two per cent of the overall health budget.

Painaustralia welcomed the announcement of the strategy last month. The preventative health strategy recognises the common risk factors that cause many painful chronic conditions such as cancer, arthritis, asthma, back pain, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and mental health conditions. Tackling these risk factors through prevention and early intervention is a vital step in reducing the growing prevalence and cost of chronic conditions including chronic pain.

“The Minister’s commitment to a national preventive health strategy, as well as his support for a National Strategic Action Plan on Pain Management are vital steps that will play a very important role in reducing the burden of chronic disease” Ms Bennett said.

Read our media release here.