Improving the health and standard of living for people in the ACT is the driver for the latest round of Healthy Canberra Grants, with applications now open for community-based groups.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Meegan Fitzharris said improving the health and wellbeing of the ACT community is a priority for the ACT Government.
“The ACT’s population is ageing, and with that comes increasingly complex health issues,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“With 80 per cent of the burden of disease and injury in the ACT caused by chronic diseases, we need to do more to look after our health and prevent illness.
“That’s where the ACT Government’s Healthy Canberra Grants is playing a significant role in changing the way we live. Community groups are being urged to put in a submission that will help tackle the lifestyle risk factors contributing to chronic diseases.
“We are commiting around $1.9 million to these community grants because we know our community organisations have the knowledge, skills, resources and productive partnerships to innovate in this space and get results,” Minister Fitzharris said.
This latest round of the Healthy Canberra Grants will be focussed on:
- supporting healthy ageing;
- reducing smoking-related harm;
- reducing alcohol-related harm; and
- reducing overweight and obesity through improving eating habits and increasing physical activity.
“We are deliberately targeting these specific lifestyle factors as they are the areas that need attention to improve the health of the ACT community,” Minister Fitzharris said.
Examples from previous grant recipients:
- The Bluearth Foundation got our younger children from 0-5 years and their families into more activity and play time with better skills and resources. Participants in this program reported decreases in their sedentary time, families played a lot more, and they reported feeling more confident to be proactive about their activity.
- Nutrition Australia ACT’s Nutrition Support Service has worked closely with workplaces, schools, early childhood centres and seniors and disability support services to help them create healthier food and drink environments. Three quarters of these organisations reported an increased confidence in delivering nutrition-related programs. At the individual level, 96% said they had made or intended to make dietary changes, for themselves and their families.
- The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (ACT Branch) established a pharmacy-led smoking cessation program in over 80% of ACT community pharmacies. This program increased: the number of face-to-face conversations in pharmacies about smoking; the success rate of attempts to quit; and the long-term quitters.
An information session for potential applicants will be held on Monday 15 April 2019 from 3.30pm – 4.30pm at ACT Health Training and Conference Centre, 2-6 Bowes Street, Phillip.
