Preventative Health Taskforce

The Taskforce will provide evidence-based advice to governments and health providers on preventative health programs and strategies, focusing on the burden of chronic disease currently caused by obesity, tobacco and the excessive consumption of alcohol.

The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing, announced the establishment of the Preventative Health Taskforce on 9 April 2008.

The Taskforce will provide evidence-based advice to governments and health providers on preventative health programs and strategies, focusing on the burden of chronic disease currently caused by obesity, tobacco and the excessive consumption of alcohol. The Taskforce will report directly to the Minister for Health and Ageing.

The Taskforce’s key deliverables for 2008-2009 will be to provide the Government with advice on the framework for the Preventative Health Partnerships between the Commonwealth and the State and Territories and to develop a National Preventative Health Strategy.

Membership

Chair

Professor Rob Moodie, Professor of Global Health at the Nossal Institute for Global Health at the University of Melbourne, former CEO of VicHealth, the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, and internationally renowned leader in health promotion and preventative health.

Deputy Chair

Professor Mike Daube, Professor of Health Policy at Curtin University of Technology, former Director-General of WA Department of Health, and expert in public health, tobacco prevention and alcohol policy.

Members

  • Professor Paul Zimmet AO, Professor and Director of the International Diabetes Institute, and expert in obesity and type 2 diabetes prevention;
  • Ms Kate Carnell AO, CEO of the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC), former ACT Chief Minister, and former pharmacist;
  • Dr Lyn Roberts AM, CEO of the National Heart Foundation with wide ranging experience in public health promotion, particularly in cardiovascular disease and cancer, and current Chair of the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance;
  • Mr Shaun Larkin, General Manager of Corporate Ventures at health insurer HCF, and keen advocate of the role of the private health insurance sector in prevention;
  • Professor Leonie Segal, Foundation Chair in Health Economics at the University of South Australia;
  • Dr Christine Connors, Director of the Preventable Chronic Disease Program for Northern Territory Department of Health & Community Services; and
  • Dr Linda Selvey, Deputy Chief Health Officer and Senior Director, Population Health, Queensland Health.

    Page currency, Latest update: 05 September, 2008