Push on to boost outback nutrition
Stephen McMahon
The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
July 29, 2006
IMPROVED nutritional standards in isolated Aboriginal communities is the goal of a $48 million initiative of the country's biggest supermarket groups and the Federal Government.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough is driving the project to open new supermarkets stocking fresh food in an effort to increase life expectancy of Aborigines in the outback. Woolworths, Coles and Metcash have thrown their support behind the Government plan and the formation of a separate business entity to help establish, manage and supply the stores.
A study from the Medical Journal of Australia, reported in The Age in May, revealed that increasing chronic illnesses, some stemming from low nutritional levels, have resulted in Aboriginal life expectancy in the Northern Territory being almost 20 years below the national average. The life expectancy of Aborigines in the NT is below that of non-Aborigines by 19 years for women and almost 17 years for men and that gap is continuing to widen.
Between 1981 and 2000, the mortality rates for Aboriginal people were two to three times higher than for non-Aborigines. Non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer, now account for almost 80 per cent of the gap.
The opening of supermarkets stocking fresh produce in these isolated communities is seen as one step in lifting nutritional and life-expectancy levels.
Senior executives from the supermarket groups have met the minister to discuss the opening and running of these stores.
At this stage, there is no details about the number of stores or whether or not they will sell alcohol.
Former Coles managing director Alan Williams has been appointed to establish a strategy group that will make recommendations to the minister about establishing a Government-funded entity to provide improved stores in communities that are interested.
In the 2006 budget, the Federal Government committed to spend $48 million over four years on establishing community stores, including a $40 million capital investment.
A spokesman for Mr Brough said the Government was finalising the scheme's details and the minister would be making a full announcement on the matter within a few weeks.
Source:http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/push-on-to-boost-outback-nutrition/2006/07/28/1153816384513.html#
The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
July 29, 2006
IMPROVED nutritional standards in isolated Aboriginal communities is the goal of a $48 million initiative of the country's biggest supermarket groups and the Federal Government.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough is driving the project to open new supermarkets stocking fresh food in an effort to increase life expectancy of Aborigines in the outback. Woolworths, Coles and Metcash have thrown their support behind the Government plan and the formation of a separate business entity to help establish, manage and supply the stores.
A study from the Medical Journal of Australia, reported in The Age in May, revealed that increasing chronic illnesses, some stemming from low nutritional levels, have resulted in Aboriginal life expectancy in the Northern Territory being almost 20 years below the national average. The life expectancy of Aborigines in the NT is below that of non-Aborigines by 19 years for women and almost 17 years for men and that gap is continuing to widen.
Between 1981 and 2000, the mortality rates for Aboriginal people were two to three times higher than for non-Aborigines. Non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer, now account for almost 80 per cent of the gap.
The opening of supermarkets stocking fresh produce in these isolated communities is seen as one step in lifting nutritional and life-expectancy levels.
Senior executives from the supermarket groups have met the minister to discuss the opening and running of these stores.
At this stage, there is no details about the number of stores or whether or not they will sell alcohol.
Former Coles managing director Alan Williams has been appointed to establish a strategy group that will make recommendations to the minister about establishing a Government-funded entity to provide improved stores in communities that are interested.
In the 2006 budget, the Federal Government committed to spend $48 million over four years on establishing community stores, including a $40 million capital investment.
A spokesman for Mr Brough said the Government was finalising the scheme's details and the minister would be making a full announcement on the matter within a few weeks.
Source:http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/push-on-to-boost-outback-nutrition/2006/07/28/1153816384513.html#
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