Palaszczuk Government cements commitment to help 10 000 Queenslanders tackle chronic disease
July 11, 2016
Today at the start of National Diabetes Week, the Palaszczuk Government has cemented its commitment to creating a healthier Queensland, announcing $27 million over four years to help 10,000 Queenslanders tackle chronic disease.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the funding would be invested in a new Health for Life! diabetes and chronic disease prevention program, which will be led by Diabetes Queensland in partnership with other providers.
These providers include National Stroke Foundation, National Heart Foundation, Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council and Queensland Primary Health Networks.
‘‘Our government’s goal is to change the lives of 10,000 Queenslanders at high risk of developing a chronic disease,’’ Mr Dick said.
“We know that cardiovascular disease is the second largest cause of death in Queensland, with the major contributors being coronary heart disease and stroke.
“A person with type 2 diabetes can cost the Queensland health system around $10,000 a year and the impact on productivity in Queensland can amount to as much as $1.1 billion a year.
“We also know that Indigenous Queensland adults are more than three times as likely to have diabetes as non-Indigenous adults.
“This funding is about our government delivering a key election commitment. We want to improve the health of Queenslanders and to better current chronic health statistics.”
Mr Dick said a number of preventable factors were putting Queenslanders at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and lifestyle related cancers, including poor dietary intake, insufficient physical activity, being overweight or obese, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.
“The reality is type 2 diabetes, for example, can be prevented or delayed in 60 percent of cases by healthy eating and a more active lifestyle,” he said.
On current trends about three million Queenslanders (adults and children) will be overweight or obese by 2026. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among obese Queenslander adults in 2011-12 was four times that of non-obese adults.
‘‘This program is about identifying people who are at high risk of developing chronic disease and ensuring they will be supported to make positive changes so they can live a happier and healthier lifestyle.”
Health for Life! will offer a free health risk assessment and a structured six-month lifestyle modification program to eligible Queenslanders.
The program will include over-the-phone health coaching, group programs and online support options.
‘‘Not only will this program improve the health of Queenslanders but it will play a part in building a stronger and more sustainable health care system,” Mr Dick said.
‘‘The role of general practitioners, other primary health care providers and Hospital and Health Services is pivotal in identifying, referring and supporting Queenslanders who will benefit from the Health For Life! program.
‘‘Helping people living in rural and remote locations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds will also be a priority.”
The Health for Life! program will target:
Adults aged 45 years and over
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18 years and over
People living with a pre-existing condition that places at them at high risk of developing chronic disease.
Mr Dick said the Health for Life! initiative supported key directions of the government’s recently announced 10-year health vision, My health, Queensland’s future: Advancing Health 2026.
“This program clearly supports our strategic direction of promoting wellbeing, as well as our directions of delivering healthcare and connecting healthcare by using various health care providers to link people to the program,” he said.
Diabetes Queensland CEO Michelle Trute congratulated the government on its investment in the future health of Queenslanders.
“Health for Life! is going to launch a serious counterattack against type 2 diabetes and many other chronic diseases,” she said.
“Type 2 diabetes and heart disease are the two biggest burdens on the state health system.
“If we don’t stem the tide of chronic disease, the human suffering and economic costs will overwhelm our health system, so it is vital we help as many Queenslanders as possible.”
By offering a range of tailored program options, all eligible Queenslanders will have access to this important program.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the funding would be invested in a new Health for Life! diabetes and chronic disease prevention program, which will be led by Diabetes Queensland in partnership with other providers.
These providers include National Stroke Foundation, National Heart Foundation, Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council and Queensland Primary Health Networks.
‘‘Our government’s goal is to change the lives of 10,000 Queenslanders at high risk of developing a chronic disease,’’ Mr Dick said.
“We know that cardiovascular disease is the second largest cause of death in Queensland, with the major contributors being coronary heart disease and stroke.
“A person with type 2 diabetes can cost the Queensland health system around $10,000 a year and the impact on productivity in Queensland can amount to as much as $1.1 billion a year.
“We also know that Indigenous Queensland adults are more than three times as likely to have diabetes as non-Indigenous adults.
“This funding is about our government delivering a key election commitment. We want to improve the health of Queenslanders and to better current chronic health statistics.”
Mr Dick said a number of preventable factors were putting Queenslanders at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and lifestyle related cancers, including poor dietary intake, insufficient physical activity, being overweight or obese, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.
“The reality is type 2 diabetes, for example, can be prevented or delayed in 60 percent of cases by healthy eating and a more active lifestyle,” he said.
On current trends about three million Queenslanders (adults and children) will be overweight or obese by 2026. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among obese Queenslander adults in 2011-12 was four times that of non-obese adults.
‘‘This program is about identifying people who are at high risk of developing chronic disease and ensuring they will be supported to make positive changes so they can live a happier and healthier lifestyle.”
Health for Life! will offer a free health risk assessment and a structured six-month lifestyle modification program to eligible Queenslanders.
The program will include over-the-phone health coaching, group programs and online support options.
‘‘Not only will this program improve the health of Queenslanders but it will play a part in building a stronger and more sustainable health care system,” Mr Dick said.
‘‘The role of general practitioners, other primary health care providers and Hospital and Health Services is pivotal in identifying, referring and supporting Queenslanders who will benefit from the Health For Life! program.
‘‘Helping people living in rural and remote locations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds will also be a priority.”
The Health for Life! program will target:
Adults aged 45 years and over
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18 years and over
People living with a pre-existing condition that places at them at high risk of developing chronic disease.
Mr Dick said the Health for Life! initiative supported key directions of the government’s recently announced 10-year health vision, My health, Queensland’s future: Advancing Health 2026.
“This program clearly supports our strategic direction of promoting wellbeing, as well as our directions of delivering healthcare and connecting healthcare by using various health care providers to link people to the program,” he said.
Diabetes Queensland CEO Michelle Trute congratulated the government on its investment in the future health of Queenslanders.
“Health for Life! is going to launch a serious counterattack against type 2 diabetes and many other chronic diseases,” she said.
“Type 2 diabetes and heart disease are the two biggest burdens on the state health system.
“If we don’t stem the tide of chronic disease, the human suffering and economic costs will overwhelm our health system, so it is vital we help as many Queenslanders as possible.”
By offering a range of tailored program options, all eligible Queenslanders will have access to this important program.