Australian Medical Association

The costs associated with lifestyle related disease are increasing. Evidence suggests that using financial incentives and disincentives with patients can encourage preventive health behaviours. This AMA background paper outlines the currently available research on when financial incentives and disincentives are likely to be effective, and when they are not.

The costs associated with lifestyle related disease are increasing, evidence suggests that using financial incentives and disincentives with patients can encourage preventive health behaviours.

It is difficult for Australian families to find the right information they need to make healthy choices about the food they consume. This AMA publication outlines the case for a Traffic Light system of labelling on food products to ensure that consumers can easily recognise and compare the healthiness of food products.

It is difficult for Australian families to find the right information they need to make healthy choices about the food they consume. The AMA believes that a system of Traffic Light labelling on food products can provide easy to understand nutritional information for people to make those choices. This AMA paper publication details the evidence for a Traffic Light system of labelling and its advantages compared to alternative approaches.

This AMA submission to the House of Representatives Inquiry into the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011 supports legislation to remove all attractive, decorative and brand-recognisable packaging on tobacco products.

MJA release - Combining high-risk and population strategies is important for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Australia, according to research published in the latest Medical Journal of Australia.

Prof Erkki Vartiainen, from the National Institute for Health and Welfare in Helsinki, Finland and Flinders University, and co-authors analysed data from 1116 people aged 35-74 years living in rural southeastern Australia who completed a CVD risk-factor survey from 2004-2006.

Alcohol is a commonly used beverage in Australia, and can be enjoyed in sensible quantities. But alcohol is also a mind altering substance and can have harmful effects, particularly for young people. It is important that people have the right information about alcohol, so they can make the right choices when deciding to drink. This brochure provides the most recent information and research on the short-term and long-term harms associated with alcohol, as well as other risks with drinking. It also provides information on further sources of advice.

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that the AMA welcomes Health Minister Nicola Roxon’s revised approach to implementing a new scheme for care for people with diabetes.

Dr Pesce said the Minister has consulted closely with the AMA and the medical profession and has proposed a trial of the scheme so it can be properly assessed and evaluated.

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.

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that the AMA is calling on the Senate to pass the National Preventative Health Agency Bill during this fortnight’s Parliamentary sitting period.

Dr Pesce said the National Preventative Health Agency would set a national strategic approach to prevention and promote healthier lifestyles by advising and making recommendations to governments on preventative health.

“It is important that this Bill is passed as soon as possible to put momentum back into the prevention focus in Australia,” Dr Pesce said.