Advocating for healthy hearts throughout Australia
We're addressing the disparities in heart health so all Australians can live longer, healthier lives.
The Heart Foundation is dedicated to making a real difference to the heart health of all Australians and breaking down disparities. This includes advocating to government and industry for legislative enhancements to infrastructure, accessibility to heart health care for all Australians, policy improvements plus funding for world-class cardiovascular research.
Advocacy at the Heart Foundation involves:
- Making submissions to government with cost-effective initiatives to address gaps in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, support and care and research for heart health.
- Advocating for health system enhancements to reduce absolute risk for heart disease, plus improve accessibility and rehabilitation attendance management for all Australians.
- Prioritising the eradication of rheumatic disease predominantly amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through increased funding for prevention, treatment and research programs.
- Amplifying education and restrictions on tobacco and e-cigarette sale, consumption and advertising.
- Obesity, Food and Nutrition advocacy for legislative changes, for consumers to have the tools and knowledge to make healthy choices and access for disadvantaged communities with subsidies for remote communities.
- Advocating for healthier living environments with physical activity through planning, built environments and transport solutions for schools, workplaces and communities in both metro, regional environments.
Our day-to-day advocacy activity
Ongoing work is done through the Heart Foundation advocacy government submissions. These proposals provide a suite of practical policy proposals to bridge the gaps in the current legislation and budget to aid accessibility to all Australians including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands as well as enhance the services and support available for preventing, treating and managing cardiovascular disease.The Heart Foundation Advocacy and Public Policy Team advocates on behalf of researchers, clinicians, health professionals and consumers to improve the heart health of all Australians. The team is made up of national and state-based staff located across the country, working together with CEOs and our health team, to implement the advocacy goals in our One Heart strategy through targeted strategies that may include:
- Meetings with ministers, members of parliament, government departments and stakeholders
- Presenting evidence at government inquiries and making submissions on important issues relating to heart health
- Preparation of comprehensive national and state-based budget submissions highlighting priorities in heart health
- Policy development including the identification of issues, analysis of evidence, consultation, formulation and implementation
- Advocating for heart health policies and programs in the lead up to elections
- Development of publications and position statements, commissioning and publishing research, media campaigns and events.
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
There is no single cause for any one heart condition, but there are risk factors that increase your chance of developing one. ...
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Full list of clinical guidlines and references for CVD, heart failure, ACS, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, SCAD and RHD...
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Join the Heart Foundation community. Together, we can make a real difference for Australian hearts. ...
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Join the fight against Australia’s biggest killer by supporting the Heart Foundation. ...
Help Keep families together this Christmas
Help Keep families together this Christmas
Help Keep families together this Christmas
Together, we can make heart disease history. Donate today to help fund ground-breaking heart research and keep families together this Christmas. ...
Support and resources for health care professionals
Support and resources for health care professionals
Support and resources for health care professionals
Our range of clinical and patient support resources are available for you to use in your daily practice....
Heart Healthy Dinner Plan
Heart Healthy Dinner Plan
Heart Healthy Dinner Plan
Sign up now and discover delicious, easy to follow dinner recipes. Plus shopping lists, tips and other helpful information to make healthy eating easy. ...
Aboriginal heart health
Aboriginal heart health
Aboriginal heart health
Visit the St Vincents Hospital NSW and Heart Foundation Aboriginal heart health website for more information...
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation programs and resources to support your recovery....
Physical activity after a heart attack
Physical activity after a heart attack
Physical activity after a heart attack
Discover what you need to know about being active after a heart attack....
Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
The Australian Guideline for Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease (2nd Edition)....
Healthy Food Access Tasmania
Healthy Food Access Tasmania
Healthy Food Access Tasmania
We've been working on several projects with local governments across Tasmania, big and small....
Atrial fibrillation resources for patients
Atrial fibrillation resources for patients
Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) clinical resources
Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) clinical resources
Resources and clinical information for health professionals...
Supporting Your Emotional Wellbeing: An Online Forum for Young Heart Patients
Supporting Your Emotional Wellbeing: An Online Forum for Young Heart Patients
Supporting Your Emotional Wellbeing: An Online Forum for Young Heart Patients
The Heart Foundation Alumni Program
The Heart Foundation Alumni Program
The Heart Foundation Alumni Program
Stay connected with your research alumni community. ...
Wholegrains and heart health
Wholegrains and heart health
Wholegrains and heart health
All you need to know about wholegrains to put you on the right track...
Absolute CVD risk clinical guidelines
Absolute CVD risk clinical guidelines
The Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk (CVD) Guidelines helps healthcare professionals identify, prevent and manage a person's risk of developing CVD. ...
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and management
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and management
Absolute CVD risk assessment is an integrated approach that estimates the cumulative risk of multiple risk factors to predict a heart attack or stroke event in the next five years....
Dairy and your heart health
Dairy and your heart health
Dairy and your heart health
Not all dairy products are equal. Discover different types of dairy foods and their impact on heart health....
Our research stories
Our research stories
Our research stories
We fund amazing researchers who have important stories to tell...
Women and heart disease
Women and heart disease
Women and heart disease
Information and resources for health professionals....
Gerry had heart attack warning signs on his dream holiday.
Gerry had heart attack warning signs on his dream holiday.
Gerry had heart attack warning signs on his dream holiday.
I’d always thought of myself as fairly fit; I swam a lot, and did ‘soft running’, a combination of running and walking. ...
Cardiac arrest at 26: adjusting to a new ‘normal’
Cardiac arrest at 26: adjusting to a new ‘normal’
Cardiac arrest at 26: adjusting to a new ‘normal’
Remember a loved one with a tribute
Remember a loved one with a tribute
Remember a loved one with a tribute
Honour the life of a loved one with a donation to the Heart Foundation. Your donation offers hope for Australian hearts....
The Heart Foundation Community
The Heart Foundation Community
The Heart Foundation Community
We need your opinion, experience and skills to help us improve the heart health of all Australians. ...
How to volunteer with us
How to volunteer with us
How to volunteer with us
Join our volunteers and make a difference to the heart health of Australians....
Smart Heart Guidelines App
Smart Heart Guidelines App
Smart Heart Guidelines App
Access to Australian heart disease guidelines is now free at your fingertips...
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Kate wanted to find a way she could make a difference to future generations...
10 ways to get the right balance of fats
10 ways to get the right balance of fats
10 ways to get the right balance of fats
Getting the right balance of fats in your diet can improve your heart health....