The NSW Healthy Eating and Active Living Strategy 2013-2018 provides a whole of government framework to promote and support healthy eating and active living in NSW and to reduce the impact of lifestyle-related chronic disease. There are four key strategic directions:
The Strategy aims to encourage and support the community to make healthy lifestyle changes at a personal level, and create an environment that supports healthier living through better planning, built environments and transport solutions. The Strategy aims to ensure that everyone has opportunities to be healthy through the delivery of evidence-based programs and policy initiatives.
In SWSLHD the health of the community is influenced by a complex range of factors including age, socio-economic status, social capital, behaviours, beliefs and lifestyle, life experiences, country of origin, genetic predisposition and access to health and social care.
Residents on average have behaviours that have been linked to poorer health status and chronic disease.
These include:
The Health Promotion Service has a range of initiatives to assist the residents of SWSLHD to have a healthy and active lifestyle.
More information
Contact Karen Wardle Program Manager Healthy Populations on 02 8738 5902 or Karen.Wardle@sswahs.nsw.gov.au
Get Healthy @ Work is a new Government initiative aimed at improving the health of working adults and has been developed in partnership with NSW Health and Work Cover NSW. The overall goal is to contribute to the reduction of lifestyle chronic disease with a focus on 35 - 55yrs by addressing modifiable risk factors by giving workplaces the tools and resources to address one of six health focus areas: healthy weight, physical activity, healthy eating, active travel, quit smoking, harmful alcohol consumption.
The program has two key components:
More information can be found at http://www.gethealthyatwork.com.au/
The Get Healthy Information and coaching service has helped individuals to make positive lifestyle changes around healthy eating and active living since 2009. It is a free telephone-based service where participants have their own personal health coach and receive 10 coaching calls over 6 months. Through regular contact, advice and coaching, participants can achieve a healthier, more physically active lifestyle.
There are tailored programs for:
To be eligible for the service the participant must be over 18 and a resident of New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Queensland or Tasmania. For further information you can access the Get Healthy Website http://www.gethealthynsw.com.au