It’s time to bounce into better health.

Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) has today launched “Bounce into better health & wellbeing”, a campaign designed to encourage and raise awareness of the benefits of healthy lifestyles and to support local primary health practitioners’ preventative care efforts.

The Bounce into better health & wellbeing campaign will support the Hunter New England and Central Coast areas and provide primary health professionals access to tools and resources to improve preventative care of patients across the region.

Dr Alison Koschel, PhD Executive Manager Populations, Access and Performance at HNECC PHN said the link between unhealthy weight and higher rates of morbidity is a major driver for the campaign and one of Australia’s key public health issues.

“Behaviour change toward healthier lifestyles is needed if we are to curb Australia’s current obesity crisis,” explains Dr Koschel.

“Discussing the benefits of a healthy weight is part of the routine care of people who are overweight or obese or at risk of chronic disease. However, it can be hard for primary health professionals to start this sensitive conversation with patients. This campaign will better equip health professionals with the resources needed to support their patients.”

Richard Nankervis, CEO of the HNECC PHN, supports the importance of raising awareness for maintaining a healthy weight for improved heart health.

“Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, amongst other chronic diseases. We welcome the launch of the Bounce campaign during Heart Health Week, as it will be a great contributor to improved heart health,” says Mr Nankervis.

For more information on the campaign, or to access resources, visit https://thephn.com.au/bounce-for-health-professionals for Health Professionals, and https://thephn.com.au/bounce for consumers.