obesity

Scientists believe that for people living with type 2 diabetes, losing 15% or more of their weight could reverse the disease.

Health policymakers increasingly acknowledge that many factors outside a person’s control contribute to health inequalities. However, the health policies designed time and again still tend to promote lifestyle interventions as a solution.

A new study offers insights into how sugary drink regulations can be best framed so they are broadly acceptable to the people they are targeting.

Most of us would hope the policies governments introduce are based on the best available evidence. However, a study published today suggests former politicians, staffers and public servants who go on to work for the industries they once regulated have a major influence on the current policy environment. They’re paid to advocate what’s best for their client, not for the Australian public.

An Expert Steering Committee has been established to help develop a 10-year national preventive health strategy. Led by Health Department Deputy Secretary Dr Lisa Studdert, the committee includes experts from public health, research and health promotion sectors. The strategy will centre on early intervention and better information to improve the health of Australians and is […]

Citizens depend on their governments to provide essential services and to make decisions with their best interests at heart.

Two challenges with Australia’s current model of governance are frequently mentioned. The first is that we are increasingly failing to achieve the outcomes people expect. The second is that we are facing a legitimacy crisis. Adrian Brown, from the Centre of Public Impact, discusses.

There are few bright spots in the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ National Health Survey results.

Behavioural science teams in the New South Wales government are beginning to apply their approach to bigger, more complex public policy challenges. So far, nudge squads have mostly looked to influence citizen behaviour in simple, transactional situations.