The Public Health Association of Australia has reacted to the release of The Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024 report, calling for Government action on overweight and obesity to help keep Australians well and out of hospitals.
The new report, published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, found that living with overweight or obesity has overtaken tobacco smoking as the leading risk factor contributing to disease burden in 2024.
Public Health Association of Australia chief executive officer Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin said the report is a big picture scorecard on Australia’s health.
“The good news is that the burden of disease in Australia has fallen by 10 per cent over the past 20 years, and public health measures are playing an important part in helping us to be healthier and live longer lives.
“It’s also welcome news that tobacco is causing fewer deaths and diseases than in 2004. Decades of tobacco control efforts in Australia are paying off.
“Despite this progress, smoking still accounts for 7.6 per cent of the disease burden. We can’t afford to be complacent. This year public health experts have welcomed the Government’s world-leading vaping and tobacco legislation to help us protect the health of Australians, particularly young people.”
Adj Prof Slevin said the report shows there is still much more work to do, particularly when it comes to tackling obesity and overweight.
“Obesity and overweight is now the main cause of preventable death and disease, causing 8.3 per cent of the burden of disease. Dietary risk also causes an additional 4.8 per cent of the preventable disease burden – this includes things like excess salt intake which contributes to high blood pressure.
“Let’s start by taking our foot off the accelerator of obesity. The National Obesity Strategy and the Report on the Inquiry into Diabetes in Australia present a range of options to dial down the drivers of obesity and chronic disease like diabetes.
“Reducing the marketing of unhealthy food; sensible, honest, understandable food labelling; introducing a health levy on high energy sugary drinks and funding programs that will help drive down rates of overweight and obesity are all sensible, achievable strategies.
“We have to make it easier for people to be healthier. Action on obesity is the next vital cab off the rank when it comes to improving the health of people in Australia and shifting these disease burden metrics in the future.
“It also means tackling the ubiquitous advertising of harmful products in our public places and reducing the easy availability and supply of alcohol. We must also build physically activity into our daily lives through urban design transport options and liveable, walkable neighbourhoods.”
Adj Prof Slevin said the report also shows why Governments need to invest in prevention.
“Although the report highlights that one-third of the burden of disease is due to preventable causes, Australia’s health system continues to focus on treatment, rather than make a modest investment in keeping more of us healthy.
“Rather than $1 in $50 going to prevention, if we aimed for $1 in $20, we’ll be setting a foundation for vital measures to improve the future health of everyone in Australia,” Adj Prof Slevin said.
“We have proven that responsible public health policies and programs shift the big picture on health in Australia. We need now to build on that success for the sake of our kids, their kids and our own good health in retirement. If we do, more of us we can have a longer and better life, and start bringing down the burgeoning cost of treating chronic disease.
“Boosting investment in the National Preventive Health Strategy is an immediate and obvious starting point.”
