Australian Medical Association Limited
ABN 37 008 426 793
42 Macquarie Street, Barton ACT 2600: PO Box 6090, Kingston ACT 2604
Telephone: (02) 6270 5400 Facsimile (02) 6270 5499
AMA URGES PASSAGE OF PREVENTIVE AGENCY BILL
AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, today urged all parties and Independents to support the
Australian National Preventive Health Agency Bill, which is expected to be debated in
Parliament this week.
Dr Pesce said the establishment of the Agency would provide momentum for the
Government’s National Prevention Strategy and the implementation of the recommendations it
accepted from the Preventative Health Taskforce.
“The National Preventive Health Agency will play a key role in informing and educating the
Australian population about getting healthy and staying healthy,” Dr Pesce said.
“A growing number of Australians are at high risk of serious diseases and premature death due
to excess weight, smoking and excess alcohol use.
“Doctors are seeing the consequences of these problems in their patients every day, and much
of it can be prevented.
“The Agency could provide a central focus for collecting evidence on best-practice prevention
measures, providing advice to governments and others, and coordinating national action in a
strategic approach to preventing serious chronic diseases.
“Preventing chronic diseases will need a serious and concerted effort, so it is important that the
Agency is properly funded for the long term, and that its advice to the Government is
transparent and independent.
“Preventive health advice must be evidence-based and informed by people with health
expertise and direct experience of the consequences of chronic disease risk factors.
“The AMA believes that medical professionals are well-placed to provide this expert advice.
“The Government should include a practising doctor on the Agency's Expert Advisory Council.
“There will be limited places on the Advisory Council, so all members must have a genuine
and primary interest in the health of Australians,” Dr Pesce said.
26 October 2010
CONTACT:
John Flannery
02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Geraldine Kurukchi
02 6270 5467 / 0427 209 753
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