KATY Gallagher yesterday announced the successful applicants of the Healthy Canberra Grants, who will receive $2 million in funding.

“Healthy Canberra Grants are a key feature of the ACT Government’s Towards Zero Growth Healthy Weight Action Plan, which aims to combat obesity by creating environments that make healthy lifestyle choices easier,” Katy said.

“The community partners funded under the Healthy Canberra Grants enable us to help improve physical activity levels and healthy eating habits for families and kids, and will also encourage healthy behaviours in a range of settings.”

The successful applicants for this latest funding opportunity include:

• Nutrition Australia ACT Branch,
• the Pharmacy Guild ACT Branch,
• the Australian Drug Foundation,
• Jervis Bay Primary School,
• Canberra Environment Centre,
• Companion House,
• Wirrpanda Foundation and Alcohol,
• Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT.

In addition to increasing rates of obesity, the 2014 ACT Chief Health Officer’s report has highlighted that alcohol-related harm and smoking are still important population health issues.

“I am pleased to see that Healthy Canberra Grants are helping to tackle these issues as well,” the Chief Minister said.

“The grant for community action against alcohol is an exciting and innovative opportunity and it will make a difference in building healthier community attitudes towards safe alcohol use.

“The pharmacy-based initiative to help people quit smoking is well placed to make a difference with this issue, and to connect with people who are ready to give up. Compared with other states, the ACT is already performing well around smoking reduction; however we still have a long way to go.

“These health challenges affect all members of our community and we need to be creating change in many different settings to improve overall health outcomes across Canberra,” the Chief Minister concluded.

Information about the successful applicants for the latest Healthy Canberra Grants, as well as previously funded initiatives is available online at www.health.act.gov.au/hpgrants.