Advocating for healthy hearts throughout Australia
We're addressing the disparities in heart health so all Australians can live longer, healthier lives.
The Heart Foundation is dedicated to making a real difference to the heart health of all Australians and breaking down disparities. This includes advocating to government and industry for legislative enhancements to infrastructure, accessibility to heart health care for all Australians, policy improvements plus funding for world-class cardiovascular research.
Advocacy at the Heart Foundation involves:
- Making submissions to government with cost-effective initiatives to address gaps in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, support and care and research for heart health.
- Advocating for health system enhancements to reduce absolute risk for heart disease, plus improve accessibility and rehabilitation attendance management for all Australians.
- Prioritising the eradication of rheumatic disease predominantly amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through increased funding for prevention, treatment and research programs.
- Amplifying education and restrictions on tobacco and e-cigarette sale, consumption and advertising.
- Obesity, Food and Nutrition advocacy for legislative changes, for consumers to have the tools and knowledge to make healthy choices and access for disadvantaged communities with subsidies for remote communities.
- Advocating for healthier living environments with physical activity through planning, built environments and transport solutions for schools, workplaces and communities in both metro, regional environments.
Our day-to-day advocacy activity
Ongoing work is done through the Heart Foundation advocacy government submissions. These proposals provide a suite of practical policy proposals to bridge the gaps in the current legislation and budget to aid accessibility to all Australians including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands as well as enhance the services and support available for preventing, treating and managing cardiovascular disease.The Heart Foundation Advocacy and Public Policy Team advocates on behalf of researchers, clinicians, health professionals and consumers to improve the heart health of all Australians. The team is made up of national and state-based staff located across the country, working together with CEOs and our health team, to implement the advocacy goals in our One Heart strategy through targeted strategies that may include:
- Meetings with ministers, members of parliament, government departments and stakeholders
- Presenting evidence at government inquiries and making submissions on important issues relating to heart health
- Preparation of comprehensive national and state-based budget submissions highlighting priorities in heart health
- Policy development including the identification of issues, analysis of evidence, consultation, formulation and implementation
- Advocating for heart health policies and programs in the lead up to elections
- Development of publications and position statements, commissioning and publishing research, media campaigns and events.
Heart Age Calculator
Heart Age Calculator
Heart Age Calculator
Try our Heart Age Calculator to understand what contributes to your risk of heart disease....
Support and resources for health care professionals
Support and resources for health care professionals
Support and resources for health care professionals
Our range of clinical and patient support resources are available for you to use in your daily practice....
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Join the Heart Foundation community. Together, we can make a real difference for Australian hearts. ...
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation programs and resources to support your recovery....
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
There is no single cause for any one heart condition, but there are risk factors that increase your chance of developing one. ...
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Join the fight against Australia’s biggest killer by supporting the Heart Foundation. ...
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Full list of clinical guidlines and references for CVD, heart failure, ACS, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, SCAD and RHD...
Relationships and sex after a heart attack
Relationships and sex after a heart attack
Relationships and sex after a heart attack
Explore some useful things to know about intimacy after a heart attack....
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Kate wanted to find a way she could make a difference to future generations...
Key Statistics: Heart Failure
Key Statistics: Heart Failure
How to make healthier meals at home
How to make healthier meals at home
How to make healthier meals at home
Cooking at home is often healthier than eating out....
Life changing research currently underway
Life changing research currently underway
Life changing research currently underway
Search our current researcher's and the ground breaking research being undertaken....
Norm discovered he was at risk of a major heart attack just in the nick of time
Norm discovered he was at risk of a major heart attack just in the nick of time
Norm discovered he was at risk of a major heart attack just in the nick of time
Norm didn’t worry too much about his cholesterol problem – until an angiogram revealed he had an 80 per cent blockage in a major heart artery. ...
Register your cardiac service with the Heart Foundation
Register your cardiac service with the Heart Foundation
This cardiac services directory presents information on cardiac rehab programs offered across Australia....
Philanthropic investments
Philanthropic investments
Philanthropic investments
Making philanthropic investments through the Heart Foundation can transform Australians’ health. ...
Our history
Our history
Our history
For more than 60 years the Heart Foundation has been helping improve heart health across the nation....
Q&A with Lauren Blekkenhorst
Q&A with Lauren Blekkenhorst
Q&A with Lauren Blekkenhorst
Research to develop better evidence for the vascular and metabolic health benefits of vegetables and their bioactive constituents....
Peter is breathing easy again after heart valve surgery
Peter is breathing easy again after heart valve surgery
Peter is breathing easy again after heart valve surgery
Peter has lived with a rare heart condition since he was 14, but hadn’t given it too much thought until his 30s....
Dinner recipes
Dinner recipes
Dinner recipes
Search our heart healthy dinner recipes for tonights main meal...
Salad recipes
Salad recipes
Salad recipes
Search through our tasty salad recipes...
Physical activity after a heart attack
Physical activity after a heart attack
Physical activity after a heart attack
Discover what you need to know about being active after a heart attack....
What is atrial fibrillation?
What is atrial fibrillation?
What is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia where your heart beats irregularly and fast....
Medical tests for heart disease
Medical tests for heart disease
Medical tests for heart disease
Learn about the common tests your doctor may want you to have to diagnose your heart condition....
Hypertension clinical information and guidelines
Hypertension clinical information and guidelines
Clinical information for diagnosis and management of hypertension....
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) clinical resources
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) clinical resources
Resources and clinical information for health professionals...
Celebrate the life of someone you love by giving to the Heart Foundation in their memory
Celebrate the life of someone you love by giving to the Heart Foundation in their memory
Celebrate the life of someone you love by giving to the Heart Foundation in their memory
Exercises to do at home
Exercises to do at home
Exercises to do at home
All you need to know about keeping active during COVID-19....
Heart health information in your language
Heart health information in your language
A selection of heart health information brochures in a range languages...
Absolute CVD risk assessment resources
Absolute CVD risk assessment resources
Resources and clinical information for health professionals...
Support after a heart attack
Support after a heart attack
Support after a heart attack
Many different thoughts may go through your head after a heart attack and you may be presented with complicated medical info. Know where to get support. ...