AMSA Healthy Communities – Australia (AMSA)

Name of the activity: AMSA Healthy Communities

Country/NMO: Australia (AMSA)

Program: Healthy Lifestyles & Non-Communicable Diseases

Contact information: [email protected]

Type of the activity: Campaign

General description:

AMSA Healthy Communities is the AMSA Global Health Project that focuses on promoting the surveillance, prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in Australia and globally. It aims to address the obesogenicity of our surroundings, specifically aiming to improve the food environment and the culture surrounding active transport.

Focus area:

Prevention of NCDs and Health Promotion

Problem statement:

NCDs contribute to 70% of global mortality, and to 91% of total deaths in Australia. Obesogenic environments in Australia and globally significantly potentiate this health burden.

Target groups and beneficiaries:

The health sector will be the target group of AMSA Healthy Communities, with the aim of benefiting and setting an example for the entire Australian population initially, and then expanding globally.

Objectives and indicators of success:

– Improve the food environment in Australian healthcare settings by 2021, indicated by adoption and implementation of mandatory healthy food and beverage policies for these facilities
– Improve the culture of the Australian healthcare sector surrounding active transport by 2021, indicated by the adoption of recommended improvements in infrastructure

Methodology:

Auditing of obesogenic environments to monitor current status and ongoing progress, submission of proposals and recommendations to federal and state health departments, nationwide education and advocacy campaigns targeting medical students, supporting grassroots initiatives at local universities

Plans for evaluation:

Completion of annual end of year report of the successes and challenges of AMSA Healthy Communities from the outgoing Project Coordinator. Formulation of an annual start of year strategic plan by the incoming Project Coordinator. Monthly assessment of progression towards yearly goals by the AMSA Global Health Executive.