Cameron Dick
May 22, 2017
The Queensland Government will invest $20 million to establish a new public health body to tackle Queensland’s high obesity and chronic disease rates.
Health Minister Cameron Dick said the Government will introduce legislation this week to establish the Healthy Futures Commission Queensland.
He said research had shown that obesity rates are 76 per cent higher in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas of Queensland, and compared to major cities, obesity rates are 36 per cent higher in remote and very remotes areas of Queensland.
Obesity rates are also 39 per cent higher among Indigenous Queenslanders than non-Indigenous.
“We know obesity continues to be too high in Queensland – one in four children, and two in three adults, are overweight or obese,” Mr Dick said.
“These figures highlight the strong need to improve the health of Queenslanders by promoting healthy behaviours. and the Commission will do just that.”
Mr Dick said the Commission would be funded over three years to provide grants and partner with local businesses, community organisations, academic institutions and government agencies to encourage and support regular physical activity and healthy eating.
“At least 55 per cent of that $20 million funding will be provided in grants to enable the Commission to focus on targeted interventions and projects to enable children and families to make healthy choices,” Mr Dick said.
“Childhood is a crucial time for setting lifelong behaviours, so the more we can do to empower and help children and families, the better chance we have of reducing obesity rates across the state.
“By investing in innovative ideas through local community partnerships, the Commission will create environments and opportunities that support the health and wellbeing of children and their families.”
Diabetes Queensland Chief Executive Officer Michelle Trute said the establishment of the new Commission offered the collaborative approach needed to tackle obesity and chronic diseases like diabetes.
“We’re eager to partner with the Government in this new preventative health commission. It will take all of our shared knowledge, expertise and resources to bring about healthier results,” Ms Trute said.
“Lack of exercise, overweight and obesity are the biggest health challenges facing Queenslanders this century, and they’re not easy or simple problems to solve. But we can do it if people eat fresh and exercise for 30 minutes a day.
Heart Foundation CEO Stephen Vines said he welcomed the Commission and any action that would make Queensland communities healthier, more liveable places.
“People need supportive communities so that the healthier choice is the easiest choice,” he said.
“That means we need to support people to be more physically active every day.
“Physical activity can help reduce risk factors for chronic diseases and mental illness.”
The Commission will comprise a six-member board, a Chief Executive Officer and up to 15 staff.
It will address two key outcomes from the Queensland Health Advancing Health 2026 plan:
- Reducing childhood obesity by 10 per cent, and
- Increasing levels of physical activity for health benefit by 20 per cent
