Heart Foundation
Thousands of Australians at risk of a life-threatening heart attack or stroke will be able to see their GP for a Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Check for another two years.
The Heart Foundation has applauded the Federal Government’s decision to extend the temporary MBS items until 2023, but will continue to push for Heart Health Checks to be covered by Medicare permanently.
The leading heart health body also says it will continue to fight for more funding to tackle heart disease – Australia’s single biggest killer.
Heart Foundation Group CEO, Adjunct Professor John Kelly, says Heart Health Checks save lives and money.
Heart Foundation
The Heart Foundation and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have announced a five-year strategic partnership to improve heart-disease treatment and care for all Australians.
An initial focus of the partnership is exploring ways in which the Heart Foundation can improve its programs of support and care for people living with heart disease.
“This work is more vital than ever before, because while the number of Australians dying from heart disease is declining, there has been an increase in people living with the condition,” says Heart Foundation Group CEO, Adjunct Professor John Kelly.
“Every day, around 440 Australians are treated in hospital for heart disease. Across the country, approximately 580,000 people live with the daily pain, discomfort and challenges of these conditions.
Heart Foundation
More than four million Australians living with heart, stroke and blood vessel disease will continue to have access to Medicare-subsidised telehealth services until the end of the year.
The Heart Foundation has welcomed the decision made today by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt MP, to extend funding for telehealth services until December 31, but calls for the service to be made permanently available through Medicare.
Heart Foundation Group CEO, Adjunct Professor John Kelly, said telehealth offers vital support for millions of Australians living with cardiovascular disease, which includes heart, stroke and blood vessel disease, as well as those recovering from heart events.
CANBERRA leads the nation in heart health, according to a new research released the Heart Foundation, but with six in 10 Canberrans still not exercising enough, there is still work to be done.
According to the not-for-profit, the ACT recorded the lowest rate of death and hospitalisation for coronary heart disease of any state of territory, putting the ACT 18 per cent lower than the national average.
Heart Foundation Group CEO, John Kelly
Heart Foundation Group CEO Prof John Kelly says the reason for this is that compared to many other regions across Australia, more people living in Canberra have a higher level of education and income, which is generally linked to better health outcomes, as well as good access to health services.