Heart health a top priority of 2024 ACT Election
Media release: 16 September 2024
The Heart Foundation is calling on political leaders to prioritise heart health in the upcoming Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Election.
Around 500 people in the ACT die from cardiovascular disease each year, accounting for one in five deaths in the territory.
Cardiovascular disease is also one of the most expensive chronic health conditions, costing $260 million in the ACT per annum. Yet, many cases are largely preventable.
Recent estimates show that as much as 38 per cent of the chronic disease burden in Australia could be avoided if modifiable risk factors are reduced throughout the country.
To combat these issues, the Heart Foundation has proposed a comprehensive strategy focusing on prevention and management of cardiovascular disease in the ACT including the critical need to increase the uptake of Heart Health Checks, as well as reducing deaths from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Key recommendations from the Heart Foundation submission include:
1. Supporting the prevention of heart disease by investing in a Heart Foundation public health campaign tailored to the ACT, encouraging at-risk populations to get a Heart Health Check.
This action will:
- Reduce rates of cardiovascular disease and save on health expenditure in the ACT
- Raise awareness of, and increase uptake of Heart Health Checks
- Encourage Canberrans to work with their GP to make healthy lifestyle changes, reducing the risk of broader chronic diseases.
2. Reduce deaths from cardiac arrests by increasing community access to life-saving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the ACT.
This action will:
- Invest in public access defibrillators in the community and follow the lead of South Australia in passing legislation that mandates the installation of AEDs in priority areas
- Introduce a Local Sports Defibrillator Grant Program in the ACT, similar to the program launched by the New South Wales Government in 2022
- Invest in a public awareness and education campaign to increase confidence in bystander CPR and use of AEDs.
These AED initiatives would be delivered through the current partnership between the Heart Foundation and Heart of the Nation.
Investment in these life-saving initiatives will improve the heart health of people in the ACT.
Quotes attributable to Lauren Ford, ACT General Manager, National Heart Foundation of Australia:
“It has never been more important to take practical steps to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease on both the people and the economy of the ACT. Armed with effective strategies and proven interventions, the time for the government to act is now.
Without action now to address modifiable risk factors through encouraging Canberrans to visit their GP for a Medicare subsidised Heart Health Check, I worry that we will see the number of people with cardiovascular disease continue to rise.
Lauren Ford, ACT General Manager
Heart Foundation
“The Heart Foundation calls on all candidates and parties contesting the ACT election to act and adopt these strategic actions to help save lives.”
Quote attributable to Greg Page, CEO, Heart of the Nation:
“Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are a significant public health issue, and survival rates remain low.
Ensuring people can access an AED when they need it and have the confidence to use one in an emergency will save lives in the ACT."
Greg Page, CEO
Heart of the Nation
References
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. Causes of Death, Australia. 2022. (Accessed 21 June 2024). Available from: Causes of Death, Australia, 2022 | Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au)
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Heart, stroke and vascular disease: Australian facts. 2023. [Accessed 21 June 2024]. Available from: Heart, stroke and vascular disease: Australian facts, Expenditure on cardiovascular disease - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (aihw.gov.au)
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Last updated16 September 2024