Right Word. Right Time.
Alfred Health is putting health professionals at the forefront of a new campaign to combat the single biggest killer of Australians each year.
Chronic disease is responsible for 90 per cent of deaths in Australia annually – but many of those diseases are largely preventable with lifestyle change.
Alfred Health’s new campaign, Right Word. Right Time. (RWRT), challenges health professionals to talk with their patients about preventing chronic disease and making positive changes towards a healthier lifestyle.
Chronic disease includes cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes, with four common behavioural risk factors—smoking, physical inactivity, poor nutrition and harmful use of alcohol.
Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah, General Physician at Alfred Health, said health professionals were the most credible voices for preventive health but the conversations did not occur often enough.
“Chronic disease places a huge burden on individuals, families and our health care system and without intervention, that burden is only going to get worse,” Dr Ananda-Rajah said.
“Sometimes all it takes is an open conversation to encourage patients to make some important changes – whether it’s quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, changing their diet or exercising more. Those conversations can be tricky but they need to happen more often. The right word at the right time can be transformative.”
The RWRT campaign site empowers health professionals to start meaningful conversations with their patients that could ultimately save lives. Visit Right Word. Right Time. for more.
Alfred Health has collaborated with the Victorian State Government to deliver the campaign.
