A groundbreaking health forum aimed at empowering people to live healthier lives will be held at the University of the Sunshine Coast on February 20.
The Healthy Ageing Forum – Getting Old is not a Disease! will feature some of the latest chronic disease research and lifestyle recommendations from a range of renowned health experts including those from Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) and USC.
Registrations are now open for the forum, which is held in partnership with Sunshine Coast Council and USC.
Keynote speaker Dr Sam Manger and President of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine said the free forum was designed for people over the age of 50.
“This is a great opportunity for people to discover more about the leading causes of ill-health in Australia,” Dr Manger said.
Tips about exercise and diet
Associate Professor Chris Askew is the leader of Healthy Ageing Research at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute and a member of the Clinical Exercise Physiology team at USC.
“The forum will bring together researchers and clinicians with expertise in cardiovascular disease, liver health, and the mind and brain,” Dr Askew said.
“This will be a great opportunity for participants to learn about chronic disease prevention and management, including tips and advice about exercise, diet and reducing stress.”
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Sunshine Coast Council Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said the forum was a must for anyone keen to take charge of their health.
“It is an excellent opportunity for Sunshine Coast residents to participate in this free forum and hear from leading health professionals and I encourage people to get in quickly as spots are not going to last long,” Cr Law said.
“A key focus of our Sunshine Coast Community Strategy 2019-2014 is to empower our community to live healthy and active lifestyles and hopefully we can do just that through participation of this well-planned forum.”
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Presenters include Sunshine Coast University Hospital Professor of Cardiology Kim Greaves, Professor of Hepatology James O’Beirne, USC Associate Professor of Psychology Mathew Summers, USC Professor of Sport Sciences David Jenkins, Dr Anthony Villani (Nutrition and Dietetics) and keynote speaker Dr Sam Manger.
Stallholders include BreastScreen Queensland, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service’s Health Promotion staff, plus USC Thompson Institute, My Health for Life Stroke Foundation, Council’s Healthy Sunshine Coast, parkrun Australia, CWA Country Kitchens, Arthritis Queensland, 10,000 Steps, Health and Wellbeing Queensland and Cancer Council Queensland.
The forum runs on February 20, from 8.30am-3.30pm.
Registrations are essential as places are limited. Register via the Sunshine Coast Council website. COVID Safe practices apply.
FACTS
Chronic diseases are the leading cause of ill-health and death in Australia – with nine out of 10 deaths attributed to chronic diseases.*
Some of the most common chronic diseases are heart and kidney disease, dementia, stroke, cancer, diabetes, chronic lung disease, asthma, mental and behavioural conditions.*
Eighty per cent of Australians aged over 65 are estimated to have one or more chronic diseases.
Coronary heart disease is the single leading cause of death in Australia (killing one person every 12 minutes), followed by dementia. Dementia is the leading cause of death for women. (ABS)
*Sources: Australia’s Long Term National Health Plan – to build the world’s best health system. August 2019. Australian Government. Department of Health.
Chronic diseases in Australia: the case for changing course. Background and policy paper. October 2014. Dr Sharon Willcox. Australian Health Policy Collaboration.
