Praise for focus on chronic disease prevention
November 16, 2018
The Stroke Foundation has welcomed The Greens’ commitment, ahead of the Victorian election, to programs designed to prevent chronic disease including stroke.
There will be more than 14,000 strokes in Victoria in 2018 alone and more than 120,000 stroke survivors are living in the community. Stroke strikes the brain and can change lives in an instant, but it does not need to be this way.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan said stroke incidence was on the increase, yet most strokes could be prevented.
“Up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented by managing risk factors including blood pressure and cholesterol, keeping active, eating a well-balanced diet, only drinking in moderation and avoiding cigarettes,’’ Ms McGowan said.
“In fact, research shows smoking doubles the risk of this potentially devastating disease.
“Australia leads the world in smoking cessation, but we must do more to build on these learnings to address other lifestyle challenges.
“We must do more to empower the community with the education, supports and infrastructure needed to make lifestyle changes, leading to healthier lives and ultimately a reduced chronic disease burden on our health system.”
Stroke Foundation also praised The Greens initiatives to create a more inclusive and accessible society for people with a disability, and universal access to Ambulances free of charge.
Highlights of The Greens’ prevention plan included:
• Investing $15 million dollars per year in public information and education to reduce preventable diseases.
• Restricting junk food advertising aimed at children.
• Restricting the availability of sugary drinks in public schools and health services.
In the lead up to the Victorian election, Stroke Foundation has called on the next state government to deliver Victorian stroke survivors and their families a better future.
This is outlined in the plan Ready to Live which enhances improvements already made to treat stroke in this state by investing an additional $5.1 million over four years to create better health outcomes and reduce stroke’s burden on our community and health system.
There will be more than 14,000 strokes in Victoria in 2018 alone and more than 120,000 stroke survivors are living in the community. Stroke strikes the brain and can change lives in an instant, but it does not need to be this way.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan said stroke incidence was on the increase, yet most strokes could be prevented.
“Up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented by managing risk factors including blood pressure and cholesterol, keeping active, eating a well-balanced diet, only drinking in moderation and avoiding cigarettes,’’ Ms McGowan said.
“In fact, research shows smoking doubles the risk of this potentially devastating disease.
“Australia leads the world in smoking cessation, but we must do more to build on these learnings to address other lifestyle challenges.
“We must do more to empower the community with the education, supports and infrastructure needed to make lifestyle changes, leading to healthier lives and ultimately a reduced chronic disease burden on our health system.”
Stroke Foundation also praised The Greens initiatives to create a more inclusive and accessible society for people with a disability, and universal access to Ambulances free of charge.
Highlights of The Greens’ prevention plan included:
• Investing $15 million dollars per year in public information and education to reduce preventable diseases.
• Restricting junk food advertising aimed at children.
• Restricting the availability of sugary drinks in public schools and health services.
In the lead up to the Victorian election, Stroke Foundation has called on the next state government to deliver Victorian stroke survivors and their families a better future.
This is outlined in the plan Ready to Live which enhances improvements already made to treat stroke in this state by investing an additional $5.1 million over four years to create better health outcomes and reduce stroke’s burden on our community and health system.