Disease-based jockeying for media headlines and policy/funding attention is unhealthy in reinforcing a narrow focus on risk factors for specific diseases, writes Melissa Sweet.
Heart disease cancer
The new government must make physical activity a priority
At some stage during the life of the Rudd government, a study will declare that the negative health effects on Australians from physical inactivity and obesity have surpassed those of smoking. This is a tribute to the efforts of governments past in tackling the scourge of smoking, but equally represents a damning failure to have done anything significant to encourage physical activity, writes sports physician John Orchard.
