AMA urges passage of Preventative 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
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