1. National Health Priority Areas (NHPAs)

2. NHPAs Cancer control Cardiovascular disease Injury prevention and control Mental health Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions Asthma Diabetes Obesity

3. Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions Reason why NHPA Biological risk factors Behavioural risk factors Health promotion strategies Direct costsIndirect and intangible costs Affects 31% of Australians – more than 6 million people Obesity Osteoporosis: Physical inactivity and joint trauma Arthritis: Environmental link, perhaps virus or bacterial infection Self management courses Exercise programs for elderly Healthy Bones Week $24 billion in health care, lost work time, shortened lives and years spent with disability Family members need to act as carers Isolation, lack of self esteem and depression due to chronic pain

4. Asthma Reason why NHPA Biological risk factors Behavioural risk factors Health promotion strategies Direct costsIndirect and intangible costs Affects more than 2 million Australians Often coexists with other chronic respiratory diseases Leading cause of disability Age Higher prevalence for females Viral infections Exercise Air pollutants tobacco smoke Allergens (dust mites, pollen and animal danders) Self- management programs Asthma friendly schools in 2000-01, $615 million in direct costs Individual costs include preventative medicine and inhalers Time off work, therefore loss of productivity and cost to employer

5. Cancer control Reason why NHPA Biological risk factors Behavioural risk factors Health promotion strategies Direct costsIndirect and intangible costs Leading cause of death Leading cause of total burden of disease More than 39,000 deaths each year Genetics Age Smoking (lung cancer) UV radiation (skin cancer) Screening and vaccination programs SunSmart In 2000-01, direct costs of $2.8 billion Cost to individuals – medication, treatment and surgery Personal suffering Feeling of loss Time off work

6. Cardiovascular disease Reason why NHPA Biological risk factors Behavioural risk factors Health promotion strategies Direct costsIndirect and intangible costs Leading cause of premature death (18% of all deaths in 2005) Leading causes of disability Second leading cause of disease burden Overweight and obesity Diabetes Genetics Tobacco smoking Poor diet and nutrition Physical inactivity Heart Foundation Tick Jump Rope for Heart Go Red for Women FAST (Stroke Foundation) In 2004-05, $5.9 billion in direct costs (11.2% of total health care spend) Impact on lifestyle May affect capacity to work and participate in activities

7. Diabetes mellitus Reason why NHPA Biological risk factors Behavioural risk factors Health promotion strategies Direct costsIndirect and intangible costs More than 1 million Australians have diabetes Genetics Age Physical inactivity National diabetes action program In 2000-01, $836 million in direct costs Ongoing costs for daily medication for type 1 diabetes Impact on daily lifestyle for people with type 1 diabetes

8. Injury prevention and control Reason why NHPA Biological risk factors Behavioural risk factors Health promotion strategies Direct costsIndirect and intangible costs Major cause of death for people under 45 Leading cause of death for children Can result in permanent disability Age Excess weight increases risk of falls in older people Unsafe environment (e.g. Pools with open gates) Drink driving National Prevention Plans National Kidsafe Day TAC: “If you drink and drive, you’re a bloody idiot” In 2000-01, $4061 million in direct costs Cost to individual families e.g. modifying home for disabled family member High costs for health care for people living with disability Pain and suffering

9. Mental health Reason why NHPA Biological risk factors Behavioural risk factors Health promotion strategies Direct costsIndirect and intangible costs Leading cause of burden of disease More than 20% of Australians will experience mental illness Genetics Physical (chemical imbalance) Unhealthy family environment Stress beyondblue National Suicide Prevention Strategy KidsMatter MindMatters High number of hospitalisations, therefore high costs for individuals and families Personal suffering Stigma

10. Obesity Reason why NHPA Biological risk factors Behavioural risk factors Health promotion strategies Direct costsIndirect and intangible costs Global epidemic Increases risk of other diseases Weight Poor diet and overconsumption National Obesity Strategy Measure Up Estimated $11 billion per year Stigma Discomfort

11. Summary NHPAs are a collaborative effort involving Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments Eight current NHPAs collectively account for almost 80% of total burden of disease and injury in Australia Obesity is the most recently added NHPA – announced in April 2008