Symposium discusses the BIG issues
Published on 15 April 2015
Allied Health professionals, GPs and community representatives from all over Victoria will converge on Mildura on Thursday the 16th April to discuss the growing issue of obesity.
The Loddon Mallee Obesity Symposium brings together professionals from across the Loddon Mallee Region and greater Victoria with an aim to prioritise prevention efforts and reduce obesity rates.
The event presents a rare opportunity for health professionals to hear from experts in the field of obesity and preventive health, with discussions focusing on the 30 year journey which has resulted in our current obesity epidemic. They will also have the opportunity to discuss how local communities can work together to combat this issue.
Key note speakers include Jane Martin, Executive Manager, Obesity Policy Coalition, Cancer Council Victoria, Craig Sinclair, Head, Prevention Division, Cancer Council Victoria and Dr Shelley Bowen, Senior Public Health Advisor, Prevention and Population Health Branch, Department of Health and Human Services.
They will be joined by local professionals working within the Healthy Together initiative, who will give attendees practical examples of how working with local communities at a population level can, and has, been used effectively in Mildura.
Community Wellbeing and Services Portfolio Councillor Sharyon Peart said important work has been undertaken in Mildura around preventive health and we need to share that knowledge with the rest of the state.
“It has been well publicised that obesity has become the leading cause of illness and premature death in Australia.” Cr Peart said “Mildura is on the forefront when it comes to taking a whole community approach and tackling health problems before they occur.
“While continued funding for the Healthy Together initiative is uncertain, the community collaborating together around a single health issue means we have a real opportunity to see everlasting change in our schools, workplaces, sporting clubs and families.”
Obesity Policy Coalition Executive Manage Jane Martin said that prevention has an important part to play in our health system.
“Diet followed by overweight and obesity have eclipsed tobacco as the leading risk factors for poor health in Australia. It is critical that we keep a focus on support and empower people to have healthy lifestyles to address rising rates of type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
“The important work of Healthy Together Victoria and Mildura in ensuring the healthy choice is the easy choice is very important in the prevention of chronic disease.” Ms Martin said.
“Focusing on treating chronic diseases without also focusing on prevention is like putting the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff without also putting a fence at the top.”
Healthy Together Mildura is funded by the Victorian Government and is a partnership between Mildura Rural City Council and Sunraysia Community Health Services.
ENDS
Media enquiries
Angela Umback
(03) 5018 8689
angela.umback@mildura.vic.gov.au