The Australian Government's 2017-18 Federal Budget is set to focus on getting more Australians up and walking.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced a $10 million 2017 budget commitment to the Heart Foundation as part of the Prime Minister's Walk for Life Challenge, aimed at promoting preventative health and sport in the lives of all Australians.
The Walk for Life Challenge is set to support up to 300,000 Australians to adopt regular walking as an easy way to better health by 2019. A further $5 million has been pledged to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, also aimed at achieving better health through increased physical activity and improved nutrition for for communities.
Delighted by this announcement, Heart Foundation National CEO Adjunct Professor John Kelly said earlier this week that "Physical inactivity takes an immense toll on the Australian community, causing an estimated 14,000 premature deaths every year - similar to that caused by smoking". He went on to say that Australian adults don't exercise enough "to gain the health benefits of exercise," including young people between the ages of 25 and 34 years old. "This puts them at a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, some cancers and dementia in later life," Kelly continued. His explanation touted that moderate exercise is like a "wonder drug" and that being active for as little as 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can reduce the risk of death from heart attacks by one third. In addition, regular exercise will improve sleep, strength and balance and will help to maintain bone density, manage weight and blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
At Right at Home, we feel that it's important to communicate this message with members from our community. Consider joining a walking group at the Heart Foundation – the only national network of free walking groups. Established in 1995, they have helped over 80,000 Australians walk their way to a better future.
For more information on how regular walking can reduce disease and improve your health, please visit our special care page.
'Walk yourself happy and healthy' with the Heart Foundation.
Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care, and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently and age in their home. Right at Home Australia is your local expert for issues related to caring for your loved ones, and is dedicated to keeping you informed about home care. With no admin or subscription fees Right at Home allows you to get more care from your package or budget.
To find out more, please give us a call on 1300 362 609 or visit our website.
