I really love someone who see an opportunity!
Here is a copy of an email my great friend Jamie Hayes, Managing Director of Healthy Inspirations sent to MP’s Bruce Billson and Peter Dutton. I wonder if we get a response or whether such policies will be put in the too hard basket . . .
Dear Shadow Ministers,
Obesity has now overtaken smoking as Australia’s greatest preventable risk factor.
The election provides a unique opportunity for change and a paradigm shift in how to effect change in Australia’s ongoing obesity epidemic.
To date there have been too many government talkfests and white papers on obesity and yet no change to society’s increasing girth (= mucking around!). There is little evidence or accountability that the expensive federal “Measure Up” campaign has made any difference. Of course, they will say “We’re doing something” but it simply has not worked, or the results are very poor value for the dollars expended.
Last week Prime Minister Julia Gillard launched a $2,000 old car rebate scheme to incentivise people to trade in their old cars on more fuel efficient cars. They only get the incentive if they do it. She has pledged to do this for 200,000 vehicles at an estimated government cost of $394 million.
A similar cash incentive could be given to overweight and obese people who reduce and MAINTAIN their BMI (Body Mass Index) or waist circumference to a set number of healthy BMI points or centimetres REGARDLESS of where or how they achieve this.
The current health delivery paradigm is that all health delivery must be through approved health care providers regardless of the outcome: doctors dietitians, exercise physiologists, psychologists etc. But forcing otherwise healthy overweight people through only these services is overkill, unaffordable and inaccessible (especially to rural and indigenous communities) when they simply need motivation and help to eat less, move more and stay that way.
In 2004 the federal government provided $444 million in subsidies to SUGAR FARMERS!
Meanwhile, there is no recognition of the role the SME sector of the Fitness and Weight Loss Industries have to play for the majority “overweight but otherwise healthy” people. It is estimated that there are between 1 million and 2 million fitness club and weight loss program members in Australia.
So, if the current government can provide subsidies to the sugar industry and rebates to people for trading in their old cars, why not incentivise people to achieve a healthy weight and to maintain it?
Perhaps their doctor could be involved at the start, the middle and the end.
At the start they are screened to ensure that there is no reason not to take a lifestyle (diet and exercise) approach to weight loss.
When the doctor measures that they have dropped to the target BMI, reduced their BMI by 3 points (say) or have reduced their waist by a given number of centimetres, then they get a certificate for a 33% incentive payment. The incentive could also be based upon waist circumference.
12 months later, if they have maintained their new weight, they go back to the doctor for the 66% rebate.
Except for the doctor visits, there is no cost to the government unless the person achieves their weight or waist goal. Actually someone who does not achieve their initial weight/waist goal won’t cost the government for a 2nd and 3rd doctor visit.
The incentive is on the result and not the process or the provider.
If successful, this scheme would have flow-on benefits: decreasing diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and all obesity affected cancers and diseases plus reduce demand for hospital beds. It would also decrease absenteeism and increase worker productivity. Most importantly, healthy weight active parents are the easiest step to reducing childhood obesity.
This idea would also provide an economic stimulus to the unrecognised SME sector, the fitness and weight loss industries that are totally ignored by governments. (There is NO mention of any commercial weight loss programs on http://www.measureup.gov.au. The fitness industry with robust self-regulation and national certification standards only gets a well-hidden token mention).
Finally, despite the “budgy smuggler” slurs on Tony Abbott, he should be congratulated for his personal commitment and the healthy example he sets from his fitness regime. I am sure that only he knows that while he is exercising, his mind becomes more productive, more able to deal with stress, better at problem solving and more creative. John Howard also lead by his own example.
Finally, there is a conflict in the Fringe Benefits Tax when it comes to companies who want to promote a healthy lifestyle with employees. If a company installs their own on-premises fitness facility, it will be a deductible expense. But if there is a fitness club in the building next door or on another floor in the same building, and the company subsidises the employees to use it, it is no longer deductible, but worse, they actually have to pay Fringe Benefits Tax. It doesn’t make sense, when subsidies for employee use of external day care centres is not subject to FBT (I think).
These ideas are easy steps to promote a healthier fitter Australia, by helping those who want to help themselves through affordable financial incentives.
Sincerely
Jamie Hayes
Managing Director - Healthy Inspirations (Australia and New Zealand)
jamiehayes@healthyinspirations.com.au
Well said Jamie and that is why I have quoted you! As I couldn’t say it any better!
Great letter Jamie. Let’s hope you at least get a reply. Sometimes really big issues – such as obesity (no pun intended) – need to be tackled in simple practical ways like you suggest. As you say, there have been so many white papers, studies and reasons not to. Wouldn’t it be nice if the leaders of our nation – whoever they be – took some action.
I totally agree with all that is proposed in this letter – the ‘measure up’ campaign has failed, the country’s obesity figures are still on the rise. A financial kick back would be a far better incentive to those wanting to lose weight and live a more healthy life. Throwing a list of lifestyle diseases and consquences of being overweight at people has not worked. Hopefully someone in political power takes some notice.