Post by Banjo on Oct 1, 2011 7:49:24 GMT 7
10 Minutes For A Clean Bill Of Health In Melbourne's West
10 minutes is all it will take for residents of Melbourne’s West to have a free, confidential health screening at Centrelink offices over the next month.
The screening program, launched today by Minister for Health and Ageing and local Federal Member for Gellibrand Nicola Roxon will initially be available for up to 2000 unemployed or underemployed residents.
“We want to keep Australians healthy and out of hospital and we know that prevention works, so it’s important that all Australians get regular checkups,” Minister Roxon said.
“Australians that are unemployed or underemployed are less likely to have regular health checks so offering them through Centrelink makes a lot of sense.
“The Western region of Melbourne has higher than average rates of preventable diseases so early detection is crucial and this program is a practical way of improving health outcomes for Melbourne’s West.
“In just ten minutes, people will be screened for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, sleep apnoea, and certain cancers and receive a printout at the end explaining the test and their results.
“The quick health screening involves completion of an online questionnaire and a cholesterol check conducted by a University of Melbourne medical student at kiosks set up within the Centrelink offices in Footscray, Melton, Newport, Sunshine and Werribee.
The screening program was developed as a social inclusion project and is coordinated by the Western Melbourne Regional Development Australia Committee supported by the local government councils of Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong, Melton, Wyndham, Brimbank and Hobsons Bay.
“The results of the pilot project will be analysed by the University of Melbourne and will inform strategies to improve future health outcomes in Melbourne’s West.
“The Gillard Government is doing more than any other to keep Australians healthy and out of hospital – that’s why we have invested $872 million, the largest investment ever, in health prevention including local programs like Maribyrnong City Council's Incredible, Edible, Movable Maribyrnong which offers targeted physical activity and health eating programs to encourage unemployed adults to adopt healthier lifestyles.
www.alp.org.au/federal-government/news/10-minutes-for-a-clean-bill-of-health-in-melbourne/
10 minutes is all it will take for residents of Melbourne’s West to have a free, confidential health screening at Centrelink offices over the next month.
The screening program, launched today by Minister for Health and Ageing and local Federal Member for Gellibrand Nicola Roxon will initially be available for up to 2000 unemployed or underemployed residents.
“We want to keep Australians healthy and out of hospital and we know that prevention works, so it’s important that all Australians get regular checkups,” Minister Roxon said.
“Australians that are unemployed or underemployed are less likely to have regular health checks so offering them through Centrelink makes a lot of sense.
“The Western region of Melbourne has higher than average rates of preventable diseases so early detection is crucial and this program is a practical way of improving health outcomes for Melbourne’s West.
“In just ten minutes, people will be screened for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, sleep apnoea, and certain cancers and receive a printout at the end explaining the test and their results.
“The quick health screening involves completion of an online questionnaire and a cholesterol check conducted by a University of Melbourne medical student at kiosks set up within the Centrelink offices in Footscray, Melton, Newport, Sunshine and Werribee.
The screening program was developed as a social inclusion project and is coordinated by the Western Melbourne Regional Development Australia Committee supported by the local government councils of Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong, Melton, Wyndham, Brimbank and Hobsons Bay.
“The results of the pilot project will be analysed by the University of Melbourne and will inform strategies to improve future health outcomes in Melbourne’s West.
“The Gillard Government is doing more than any other to keep Australians healthy and out of hospital – that’s why we have invested $872 million, the largest investment ever, in health prevention including local programs like Maribyrnong City Council's Incredible, Edible, Movable Maribyrnong which offers targeted physical activity and health eating programs to encourage unemployed adults to adopt healthier lifestyles.
www.alp.org.au/federal-government/news/10-minutes-for-a-clean-bill-of-health-in-melbourne/