Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance
The Heart Foundation is an active member of the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA), working with the Stroke Foundation, Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Australia and Kidney Health Australia to promote measures that will help prevent chronic disease, with emphasis on the shared risk factors of poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and overweight and obesity.

For more information, please visit the Cancer council.

The NSW Advocacy Collaboration on Obesity Prevention
The Heart Foundation NSW, the Cancer Council NSW and the Prevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, University of Sydney formed a Collaboration to coordinate obesity prevention advocacy in NSW in March 2009.

We are doing this through several strategies including identifying and fostering strategic research, analysing and prioritising policy initiatives relevant to preventing obesity and improving physical activity and nutrition, particularly in children and disadvantaged groups, and encouraging all levels of government to support evidence “based policy initiatives to address overweight and obesity.

During 2009 the Collaboration developed a Food Security Discussion Paper called Food Security: The what, who, why and where to of food security in NSW.

This paper defines food security, how it is measured and patterns in Australia. Because food security is an outcome from the interplay of multiple factors within the food, social and economic/income systems, this paper also highlights potential actions and intervention points at both the population and community level for NSW non-government agencies, government, area health services and community organisations interested in the prevention of obesity and chronic disease, nutrition and addressing health inequities.

Food security Discussion Paper (2010)

Western Australian
The Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA (PHAIWA) works closely with the WA Division of the Heart Foundation and other partner organisations.

Through advocacy, PHAIWA promotes public health interests and action in priority areas such as obesity, alcohol, Indigenous health, child health, environment and health, and injury. As an independent public health voice, PHAIWA aims to promote, support and develop public health advocacy in Western Australia.

Since its inception in March 2008, PHAIWA has become well established as both a support organisation and a leader, where appropriate, in promoting public health.

In 2009 the SA Active Living Coalition identified a need for more evidence/guidance about the role and importance of open and public space in supporting active living.

A literature review was commissioned from the Institute for Sustainable Systems and Technologies, The University of South Australia. The full report identifies the academic and policy evidence around: amount, types of public open space, uses of public open space, location of spaces and design of space.  The review also includes a specific focus on the policy perspective relating to open and public space in higher densities and transit-oriented developments.

Electronic version of the Summary Report
Printable version of the Summary Report
Full Report

Time for Action
The Heart Foundation and the National Stroke Foundation have called for a national action plan to better tackle heart, stroke and vascular disease. A joint publication - 'Time for Action' - sets out the key elements that should be contained in a national action plan. These are mapped against the priorities set out in the 2005 National Service Improvement Framework for Heart, Stroke and Vascular Disease.

For further information about 'Time for Action' or the Heart Foundation's advocacy work, contact the Government Relations Manager, Rohan Greenland on (02) 6269 2632. 'Time for Action'.