ESSA collaborates with peak health and wellbeing organisations to communicate key issues to Government

Exercise and Sports Science Australia has advised that it will be collaborating with several Australian health and wellbeing organisations to form the Health and Exercise Professional Forum (HEPF), with the aim of communicating a shared position to Government on key issues that affect a healthier, more active Australia.

Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Chief Executive, Anita Hobson-Powell explains “all levels of Government need to step up and significantly invest in exercise and physical activity services.” ESSA serves as the Secretariat for the HEPF.

As well as ESSA, the other individual member organisations of HEPF include:

• Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP)

• Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)

• Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLA)

• Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA)

• AUSActive

• Physical Activity Australia

• Sports Medicine Australia (SMA)

Two particular current issues that the HEPF are focusing on initially are Preventative health; and the Impact of COVID-19 on the Exercise/Physical Activity Sector.

Hobson-Powell adds “the member organisations of HEPF represent a collective sum of over 57,500 health and exercise professionals. It’s these professionals that should be supported by Government in their role as key advisors, health care and service providers to promote preventative health to the community.

“Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an urgency for peak organisations to collaborate and advance joint advocacy rather than delay. More specifically, to engage Government on the importance of physical activity and movement and advocate for funding in systems that will assist these professionals.”

Members of the HEPF believe there is an opportunity now to present the best way forward for Government, and that this should be focussed upon the value of movement and the vital role the health and exercise professions play in promotion and implementation of programs and services that will benefit a healthier Australia.

To find out more about HEPF, please contact the forum secretariat.