Louise Miller-Frost, the Member for Boothby, has joined forces with Health Minister Mark Butler and David Lloyd, CEO of the Heart Foundation, to emphasize the significance of Heart Health Checks at the Glengowrie Medical Centre.
Miller-Frost kicked off the event by acknowledging the importance of Heart Health Checks, which have become a vital initiative in tackling heart disease in Australia. “Heart disease continues to be a major health burden, responsible for significant numbers of deaths in our communities. Many symptoms remain invisible, so taking the initiative to have a Heart Health Check can greatly improve health outcomes and increase longevity,” she said.
Butler expressed his support for the program, noting the tremendous progress Australia has made in combating cardiovascular disease over the last five decades. He highlighted a dramatic reduction in heart disease deaths, thanks to public health efforts, smoking cessation, and the development of medications to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. However, he warned that heart disease remains a serious health concern, with more than 400 Australians hospitalized daily due to cardiovascular conditions, which continue to account for about 1 in 10 deaths.
“Over 2.5 million Australians are at risk of heart attack or stroke within the next five years, many of whom are unaware of their risk,” Butler said. He stressed the importance of Heart Health Checks, which are available to anyone over the age of 45, as well as to those over 30 with diabetes or of First Nations descent. Butler encouraged people to consult their GPs for a check, which takes less than 30 minutes and could save lives. The program, now funded by the government, has been a success since its trial phase and will continue to be a critical part of Australia’s heart health strategy.
David Lloyd of the Heart Foundation highlighted the success of the initiative, with 870,000 Australians having participated in the Heart Health Check over the past six years. “The check has become more widely adopted, and we anticipate an additional 1.5 million Australians will have participated in the next three years,” he said. Lloyd praised the government’s ongoing funding for the program and promised continued efforts to raise awareness and increase participation, particularly during campaigns like Heart Week.
Kimberley Kerr, a heart disease patient, shared her personal experience of how a routine health check saved her life. At 36, Kerr discovered she had a heart defect, which led to open-heart surgery. Tragically, her father passed away suddenly from heart disease just weeks before her diagnosis. Kerr emphasized the importance of not delaying Heart Health Checks and encouraged everyone eligible to take the test, noting it could potentially save lives.
Minister Butler stressed that primary care systems, such as those provided by GPs, play a crucial role in preventing hospitalizations and deaths from heart disease. “Getting ahead of the curve and identifying risk early is key,” he said.
In addition to heart health discussions, the press conference touched on other issues, including the situation with Healthscope hospitals. Butler confirmed that there would be no taxpayer bailout for the private hospitals but reassured the public that there was a plan for their orderly sale. He also addressed concerns about the privatization of public hospitals, stressing that the Labor government remains committed to keeping public hospitals in public hands.
Regarding work-from-home policies, Butler expressed support for flexible arrangements in the Australian Public Service, recognizing their importance in attracting top talent and supporting working families.
Finally, when asked about the recent US Federal Court ruling blocking Trump’s tariffs, Butler acknowledged the decision, which challenged the legality of the tariffs, but refrained from commenting further at this time.
This press event underscored the ongoing efforts by both government and health organizations to improve heart health in Australia and encourage early intervention through accessible, lifesaving Heart Health Checks.
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