ECONOMIC COST OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE TO SOCIETY
Australia devotes more money into cardiovascular diseases than any other disease group; of this coronary heart disease accounts for over one quarter of cardiovascular disease spending. In 2008 to 2009, Australia spent $2,028 million on coronary heart disease related issues, supporting statistics which show that the disease is the single leading cause of death, nationally. Money allocated to coronary heart disease comes from:
- The Australian Government (43.6%)
- State, territory, and local governments (26.3%)
- Individuals (17.5%)
- Health insurance funds (7.6%)
- Other groups (5%)
Expenditure for coronary heart disease is divided into three areas of concern; hospital admitted patients, out of hospital medical expenses and prescription pharmaceuticals. While spending in these three areas is relatively low for individuals who are 25 to 34 years of age; a significant increase is observed thereafter, particularly in the hospital admitted patient services sector, whereby $50 million is spent per year on individuals with coronary heart disease.
COMMUNITY GROUP RESPONCES
The Heart Foundation of Australia is an independent non for profit organisation which promotes heart heath and reports on issues such as coronary heart disease. The community group provides Australian consumers with relevant information regarding the causes, treatment and prevention of coronary heart disease; promoting good health and nutrition through campaigns, information brochures and interactive websites. Therefore, it is evident that the heart foundation plays a paramount role in promoting coronary heart disease and its impacts, encouraging consumers to lead nutritious and active lifestyles; thus reducing coronary heart disease statistics in Australia.
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FOOD INDUSTRY RESPONCES
Heart tick of approval is instituted by the Heart Foundation of Australia and heavily impacts on the processing and manufacturing of products in the food industry. The tick of approval identifies foods which are lower in fat, salt, and kilojoules; and contain the seven fundamental nutrients. The tick of approval allows consumers to make informed decisions and choose products which do not contribute to the development of coronary heart disease. Many companies in the food industry such as Uncle Ben's and Nestlé have altered the nutritional composition of their products to meet the requirements of the heart tick of approval, proving that the food industry promotes the prevention of coronary heart disease through good nutrition.
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GOVERNMENT RESPONCES
The Healthy Eating Pyramid from Nutrition Australia is a government policy which poses solutions to improve the health of all Australians. The policy has identified Australia’s obesity crisis and thus recommends consuming more complex carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables, as opposed to saturated fats. Caused by high levels of fat consumption, coronary heart disease is prevented by such policies, advising consumers to eat healthier and more nutritious foods. Thus, government policies have a significant role in promoting health and good nutrition; being an authoritative and trustworthy source of information that consumers can refer to when preventing coronary heart disease.