Doctors push obesity, indigenous health
Thursday Nov 23 17:20 AEDT
The fight against obesity and improving the poor state of indigenous health should top the federal government's spending in next year's budget, doctors say.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has called for an assault on the two major health challenges in its wish list for the 2007-08 federal budget.
The appalling state of indigenous health remained a sad indictment on Australia, AMA president Dr Mukesh Haikerwal said, while obesity was attacking the lives and quality of life of 3.2 million Australians.
A recent Access Economics study found obesity cost the health system $873 million last year.
The AMA said at least $100 million a year should be spent on nutrition initiatives including a national education campaign and a centre to promote better practices and coordinate a survey of Australians' eating habits.
"We must urgently take action to get Australians active and eating properly," Dr Haikerwal said.
"There has been a lot of talk around combating obesity but now it is time for action - serious action."
Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders were also facing a major health crisis, Dr Haikerwal said.
"Our international reputation and our national conscience demand a concerted coordinated effort to bring the health of indigenous Australians into the 21st century," he said.
Improved access to primary health care and medicines for indigenous Australians could be achieved through spending $20 million on mother and baby clinics, $20 million for improved pay and training for staff in remote areas and training more indigenous people as health professionals.
The AMA is also asking the government for more incentives to get doctors into the bush.
It said unfunded bonded medical school places, under which would-be doctors promise to work in the country to get a place at medical school, were based on conscription and offered no incentives.
The government offered an additional 234 HECS medical student places from January 2004 on the condition the students spend at least six years working in an area of shortage.
Overseas evidence showed that the scheme would not lead to sustainable long-term increases in the rural medical workforce, the AMA said, and the scheme short-changed medical students and ultimately rural Australia.
The government should instead give participating students and doctors $24 million worth of HECS relief, targeted financial incentives, and ongoing professional support over four years.
Obesity in Australia
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