Nicola Roxon: Healthy Workforce Initiative
Making healthy decisions at work will be easier for Australia’s 11 million workers from today with employers across the nation signing up to promote healthy habits in the workplace.
Peak employer and Union bodies have signed a Joint Statement of Commitment with Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon to promote healthier workplaces and healthier workers, a part of the Gillard Government’s commitment to keep Australians well and out of hospital.
“Australians spend a lot of our time at work so it’s important that healthy habits are promoted and encouraged there,” Minister Roxon said.
“Many employers and unions around the country are already taking action to help their employees live healthier lifestyles through programs such as lunchtime sport, in-office health check-ups and walking groups.
“This Commitment today by peak employer groups and unions will provide national leadership to all workplaces, helping to further promote more health workforce programs across the country.
“This announcement is yet another part of the Gillard Government’s commitment to preventative health programs that aim to keep Australians well and out of hospital.”
The Commitment represents a partnership between the Gillard Government and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Australian Industry Group, the Business Council of Australia and the Council of Small Business of Australia and the Australian Council of Trade Unions to ensure the long term health and wellbeing of the Australian workforce.
“With preventable conditions now accounting for around one-third of the total burden of disease in Australia, this Commitment represents an important step towards combating chronic disease in our community.”
The Joint Statement of Commitment is a component of the Healthy Workers Initiative—a part of the Gillard Government’s historic $872 million investment in health promotion, the largest commitment to preventative health any Australian Government has ever made.
Up to $295 million will be invested in the Healthy Workers Initiative, to reduce rates of overweight and obesity, and increase both levels of physical activity and intake of fruit and vegetables. Programs to assist with smoking cessation and reducing harmful levels of alcohol consumption will also be supported.
The Healthy Community Initiative will also provide $72 million in funding to local governments, while the Healthy Children Initiative will fund up to $325.5 million for state and territory programs to improve nutrition and increase physical activity for children and young people through early childhood education and care environments and schools.
The Healthy Worker, Communities and Children Initiatives complement the Government’s existing efforts to help Australians live healthier lives focussing on reducing the harms caused by tobacco, unhealthy eating habits and binge drinking.
The Gillard Government’s National Tobacco Campaign drives home the message to Australians that every cigarette brings cancer closer. Combined with nicotine patches being included on the PBS and world-leading action to place tobacco products in plain packaging, more is being done than ever before to deter smoking and to help Australians quit when they are ready to.
The Swap It, Don’t Stop It campaign is a call for Australians to make easy, small, healthier lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of illness and disease. Led by Eric, an animated blue balloon character who is likeable but overweight, the campaign offers Australians practical advice about how to lose weight without losing out on the things they love.
The National Binge Drinking Strategy has already supported 38 innovative community-based projects around the country, with another $10m now on offer for new local governments and community organisations to apply for to find innovative ways to reduce harmful alcohol consumption behaviours amongst young people.
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