Wednesday, 26 February, 2025
Heart Foundation calls on next WA Government to prioritise heart health
The Heart Foundation is urging all parties and candidates ahead of the Western Australian election to commit to decisive action on heart disease - the state’s leading cause of death - by endorsing three key priorities that will save lives and reduce healthcare costs.
Heart disease accounts for over 4,000 deaths in WA each year, costing the healthcare system over $1.3 billion annually.
The Heart Foundation urges the next WA Government to:
- Boost Preventive Heart Health: Invest $3 million over four years in a public awareness campaign to increase uptake of Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Checks, helping at-risk individuals detect and manage cardiovascular disease early and in turn reducing demand on emergency departments.
- Reduce Cardiac Arrest Deaths: Allocate $2 million over four years to raise awareness and provide education on lifesaving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and bystander CPR, increasing confidence and use in emergencies.
- End Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD): Invest $13.8 million over four years in the rollout of remote laundries and community-led initiatives to prevent RHD in First Nations communities. RHD is highly preventable but over-represented in First Nations people.
These initiatives align with national strategies to reduce preventable deaths, improve early detection, and empower communities with the tools they need to take charge of their heart health.
Comments attributable to Heart Foundation WA General Manager, Dr Helena Viola:
“Despite improvements over the last few decades, heart disease still remains a leading cause of death in WA.
“The next government has a critical opportunity to take meaningful action that will not only save lives but also reduce the economic burden that heart disease has on our healthcare system.
“The Heart Foundation urges all political parties to commit to these priorities and put heart health at the centre of their policy agendas.
ENDS
About us:
About the Heart Foundation
The Heart Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fighting the single biggest killer of Australians – heart disease. For more than 60 years, it has led the battle to save lives and improve the heart health of all Australians. Its sights are set on a world where people don’t suffer or die prematurely because of heart disease.
Find out your risk of heart attack or stroke by using our Heart Age Calculator. To find out about the Heart Foundation’s research program or to make a donation, visit www.heartfoundation.org.au
Contact details:
Shaun Inguanzo
M: 0404 769 054
