FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
To coincide with World Health Day - 7 April 2009
WORLD HEALTH DAY –
AUSTRALIAN KIDS DESERVE MORE ON THE MENU
Commemorating World Health Day (7 April), Save the Children Australia today called on
governments around the country to direct more funds into health and nutrition programs to tackle
growing obesity rates.
“With 3 in 10 Australian children overweight or obese, poor health and nutrition is an increasing
problem in Australia, and our governments need to be doing more to address it,” said Suzanne
Dvorak, CEO of Save the Children Australia.
“Despite the wealth and high standard of living most of us take for granted, many children do not
have access to healthy food at home or have knowledge of what constitutes a healthy meal.”
“Every day, more than 40% of Australian children go to school with an inadequate breakfast or
without breakfast at all.”
“Denying children access to even the most basic of needs leaves them unable to reach their full
potential - and in the ‘lucky country’ this is simply unacceptable.”
Save the Children Australia has been implementing a number of programs to combat long-term
health problems in children. The Cooking & Lifeskills Program targets children aged 5 – 15,
equipping them with practical skills to prepare and cook healthy meals. The Nutrition & Lifeskills
Program provides breakfasts and snacks to primary school-aged children, teaching them about
healthy eating and good hygiene.
“In South Australia we are serving up 3,800 meals a week to children, and in Victoria over 100,000
meals per year,” said Ms Dvorak.
“But there are many more mouths to feed and young minds to inform in order to really start seeing
vast improvements in the health and education outcomes of children across the country – and this is
where our governments can step in and do more to help.”
“Our children have a right to the very best health care and nutrition, and they deserve it.”
World Health Day is held on the 7 April every year and marks the founding of the World Health
Organization (WHO) in 1948. The aim of the occasion is to raise awareness of key global health
issues.
ENDS
About Save the Children: Save the Children is the world’s largest independent child rights
development organisation, making a difference to children’s lives in more than 100 countries. From
emergency relief to long-term development, Save the Children secures a child’s right to health,
education and protection. Save the Children Australia manages and implements programs in
Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. We also
support development programs through our Alliance partners in selected countries in Asia, Africa
Media enquiries: Sharyn Hanly - 0437 355 096
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