OUR region is a step closer to tackling its most pressing preventable health issues, following a $150,000 grant.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Healthy Heart funding will support the Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership to develop a targeted strategy to address poor health outcomes, such as obesity.
“What’s important about this funding is that it will bring everyone together to determine the best way to improve health for the region,” Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership chair Nigel McGuckian said
With an adult obesity rate of 23.4 per cent, Loddon Campaspe tops the rate in the state’s nine regional partnership areas.
The Victorian average is 17.4 per cent.
“At the moment there are lots of great effort going on by a whole range of players,” Mr McGuckian said.
“What we want to do is make sure all the players get the most out of their work, to help them collaborate so, as a region, we can go to the state government and put forward a business case for a significant contribution.”
He expected health would be one of the areas of focus at tonight’s Loddon Campaspe Regional Assembly.
“Tonight’s assembly will take all the priorities and work done for the last 12 months and say, ‘Okay, what’s next’,” Mr McGuckian said.
Early years disadvantage, education, digital connectivity, transport, the environment and population growth area are also likely to be key discussion topics.
Minister for Regional Development, Jaala Pulford, said the Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership had previously identified health as “an absolute priority”.
“We’ve listened and look forward to the results,” she said.
The grant was derived from $29 million the state government budgeted to support regional partnerships.
Both Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan, and Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards, welcomed the funding announcement.
“This is a great initiative for our region and will go a long way to tackling a state and national epidemic,” Ms Edwards said.
About two thirds of Victorian adults, and a quarter of children, are overweight or obese.
Obesity costs the state $14.4 billion a year, and is a risk factor for cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
“It’s fantastic to see the Loddon Campaspe community coming together to improve the health and wellbeing of local families,” Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, said.
“By working together, we can support more people to live more active and healthy lifestyles”.