The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) takes to the stage on ABC1’s new medical factual series, Save your life tonight!, a program that will explore the most common health issues affecting Australians.
RACGP President, Dr Liz Marles will join host Andrew Daddo, other specialists and celebrities as a regular member of the medical expert panel over six episodes covering common, and often preventable, health issues such as heart disease, skin cancer, weight and diabetes, mental health, lungs disease (including asthma) and the most common cancers in Australians – breast, bowel and prostate.
Dr Marles said, Save your life tonight! will highlight the importance of preventive healthcare across the lifespan of all Australians.
“It is estimated that 80% of premature heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes and 40% of cancer could be prevented through interventions that lead to healthy diet, regular physical activity and avoidance of tobacco products1.
“By incorporating such simple measures into everyday lifestyles, we could see a far healthier Australia then what we are faced with today. Prevention is the key to Australia’s future health – both individually and collectively,” said Dr Marles.
Audience members will undertake simple preventive health checks that will put a real-life health risk story at the forefront of Australian’s minds.
The RACGP has been involved in the development of the program in providing the most relevant, evidence-based information on preventive health and health issues facing Australians.
Save your life tonight! will air in 2014 and is commissioned by ABC TV and supported by Screen Queensland and Queensland Health.
The RACGP is a strong advocate for preventive health and has developed the Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice 8th edition (red book) designed for GPs to assist in the delivery of comprehensive and evidence based preventive health measures to Australian patients
1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia’s health 2012