Australian women are putting their health last

Federal Health minister Sussan Ley today launched a campaign aimed at Australians to take up sporting activities in the name of their own wellbeing.

Australian women in particular are in Ms Ley’s sights, due to their hectic schedules and tendencies to leave their own wellbeing last on the list of priorities - their lifestyles are literally killing them.

“It’s a reality that Australian women continue to be the dominant force in managing Australian households and caring for family members and friends and many of us are guilty of putting the health, wellbeing and needs of others ahead of our own,” Ms Ley said.

“I well remember as a working mother with three kids, it can be really difficult to find the time when you’re having to run the kids around, run the family, run the household and then on top of that to go for a run yourself and I’m the first to admit I’ve been guilty of putting my health last.”

“But whether you’re a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunty, niece, carer or friend – it doesn’t matter – there’s no excuse; we must start putting our health first and I’m here to support you.”

“That’s why to kick things off I’m committing to doing weight bearing physical activity three times a week to improve bone strength and also walking, instead of driving, wherever I can.”

The cost of physical inactivity to the Australian economy was $13.8 billion per year including a direct

healthcare cost of $720 million, lost productivity costing $9.3 billion and premature mortality $3.8 billion.

‘No Time for Never’ is part of the Australian Government’s Play.Sport.Australia strategy and builds on the successful $100 million Sporting Schools programme that is focused on building grassroots sports participation in our youngest Australians.