I am double vaccinated. I think everyone should get vaccinated and I think once we get beyond the 80% double vac rate, the Australian Government needs to now focus its efforts on helping the population to improve their health; one simple way would be to work with food and beverage manufacturers to reformulate packaged foods and save lives.
The risk of hospitalisation and death due to Covid is higher in people with underlying health conditions. In Australia, it is estimated that almost half of Australians had 1 or more chronic conditions. These include cancer, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and mental and behavioural conditions.
What a tragedy it will be if we spend $311bn of the annual budget to tackle Covid without addressing the underlying conditions which make Covid such a life-threatening disease.
REFORMULATE PACKAGED FOOD AND DRINKS
A recent study in the US, funded by the National Institutes of Health found, cutting 20 percent of sugar from packaged foods and 40 percent from beverages could prevent 2.48 million cardiovascular disease events (such as strokes, heart attacks, cardiac arrests), 490,000 cardiovascular deaths, and 750,000 diabetes cases in the U.S. over the lifetime of the adult population. If we compare the numbers on the Australian population which is 7.7% of the US. If follow their lead and did the same, it could prevent 31,800 cardiovascular disease events, 9,740,000 diabetes cases, and over 6,360,000 cardiovascular deaths. If we reformulate packaged foods we can save lives.
It’s a big job, but nonetheless simpler than discovering a vaccine to beat a virus. Countries like the UK, Norway, and Singapore are leading the way with this initiative, the US is considering it, Australia should do the same.
Some other suggestions to improve the health of the nation. I’d love to hear yours.
FOOD SUPPORT
Poor diet and health are associated with a lower socio-economic group who can’t afford to buy fresh food. Why when we give free health care can we not give free food (real food) or fresh food vouchers to those who need it?
SUPPORT EMPLOYERS WITH HEALTH INITIATIVES
Healthy staff take fewer sick days and are more productive when they are at work is proven. Make it mandatory and part of the paid working day to take time out for exercise/meditation.
MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Encourage and inspire people to improve their health. Incentivise it, take a percentage from Lotto earnings and pass it onto people who video their journey and share it – Who knows. I am dumping ideas here but any of it is possible.
FREE ACCESS TO PSYCHOLOGISTS, NUTRITIONISTS, FOOD COACHES & COOKING CLASSES
Most of us need more than a scheduled 10-minute session with our doctor to get to the root of the problem. People need time to understand how food affects their bodies, to learn new skills and strategies to overcome bad habits. There is no drive-in detox clinic for people who eat too much like there is for alcoholics. People need help.
DON’T WAIT
Get on and do it now. Don’t commission any more research papers at enormous expense to the country. The research is done. We know what the problem is. While the country is in such a state of dis-ease and turmoil, keep going.
Act in the interests of the whole population and make big changes before we all become complacent again.
None of us have liked being locked in for months – Surely getting us to eat 5 servings of veg a day is not great hardship in comparison.
If you are having problems sticking to a healthy diet, book a one-on-one session with me. I would be delighted to have a free 10-minute chat to discuss your needs. For more information email judy@thefoodcoach.com.au
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