Preventative health agency needs industry representation

Australia’s $100 billion food and grocery manufacturing industry supports establishing a new National Preventative Health Agency (NPHA) that will help to lift the profile of preventative health issues, according to the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC).

The National Preventative Health Agency Bill will involve setting up a separate agency to address obesity, alcohol abuse and smoking issues with a focus on keeping people healthy rather than treating illness.

The Bill will also establish the NPHA Advisory Council - consisting of government, industry and non-government experts - to advise on key preventative health issues.

AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said for the council to be most effective, it must have a broad representation of members from various sectors.

“It’s essential that the council has adequate representation from industry to ensure a balanced approach to preventative health so it can provide real value to all Australians,” Carnell said.

The independent agency was a key recommendation of the government’s National Preventive Health Taskforce strategy released in September last year and is to be responsible for preventative health advertising, policy advice, health surveillance, consultation and research.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon said achieving “success in changing lifestyles takes a long-term systematic approach informed by the latest evidence and ongoing evaluation of results”. Roxon said to achieve this, the agency “will also form partnerships with industry, as well as the community and non-government sectors”.

Carnell said industry was looking forward to this partnership framework being reflected in the new agency.