A new health program is set to change the health futures of Busselton residents.
Beginning next month, not-for-profit organisation Diabetes WA will be running Let’s Prevent, a free health program for adults at risk of type two diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Based on the philosophy there is no one size fits all when it comes to managing health, Let’s Prevent equips participants with practical information and skills to help them decide how they want to improve their lifestyle.
The ultimate goal of this program is to help participants avoid or delay one of the three most common chronic conditions.
Diabetes WA general manager of health services Deb Schofield said it was not a weight loss or exercise program.
Ms Schofield said it was a health program that supported people to make small, positive changes to their lifestyle that would make a big difference to their health in the future.
In Busselton, it is estimated that 77 per cent of the population had at least one of the four main health behaviours that increased the risk of chronic conditions.
These behaviours included smoking, consuming an unhealthy amount of alcohol, being obese or engaging in little to no physical activity.
“Often people know that they need to make a change, but they don’t know what to change, or by how much,” Ms Schofield said.
“This program will help people to get started by supporting them in identifying changes they can commit to and sustain.”
Busselton health professional Rosalie Roberts recently completed a Let’s Prevent session and has already committed to making a change.
“It was a terrific session,” she said.
“You think you know it all, but I most definitely learned something.
“It really motivated me to make a change – I’ve already been to see my GP for a general check-up and I have already made some dietary changes.”
The program – which is being run by Diabetes WA in Australia for the first time – is based on an international program, which has been shown to be very effective.
The first Let’s Prevent session will be run on Friday, September 7 with more sessions following.
People can book themselves in now by visiting diabeteswa.com.au/lets-prevent or by phoning 1300 001 880.
