Dramatically cutting salt levels in processed foods sold in Australia could save an estimated 3500 lives each year by reducing cardiovascular disease, stroke and kidney disease, according to a new report.
Reducing the population's salt intake by 30 per cent was among ten policies proposed by the Australian Health Policy Collaboration to reduce the burden of preventable chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer and mental illness, which affect one in two Australians.
![Australia's health could be improved by cutting salt, a report found.](/web/20161201130904im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/x/1/m/z/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsz3w3.png/1480341574770.jpg)
Under its prescription for a healthier nation, the group also recommends a volume tax on alcohol, a 20 per cent levy on sugary drinks, bans on junk food ads, bolstering anti-smoking media campaigns and more programs to help people living with mental illness return to the workforce.
These steps, the report said, would help:
- reduce smoking to 5 per cent of the population
- combat the rise in obesity
- reduce alcohol abuse by 20 per cent
- reduce cardiovascular disease
- halve the employment gap for people with mental illness.
The group's director Rosemary Calder said if all the report's recommendations were implemented Australia would be on track to reach the World Health Organisation's global goals, including a 25 per cent reduction in early deaths from chronic conditions by 2025.
1. Bring on the sugar tax
![A tax on sugary drinks could make a dent in this supersized problem.](http://web.archive.org./web/20161201130904im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/0/g/s/o/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1479856896510.png)
More than 70 per cent of Australian children and 50 per cent of adults are drinking too much sugar, which can lead to obesity and diabetes, the report said.
A 20 per cent flat rate tax on sugar-sweetened drinks has been estimated to decrease the number of type two diabetes cases by about 800 each year while generating an annual $400 million in tax revenue.
2. Cut junk food ads for children
![Are you eating from the plate on the left or the right?](http://web.archive.org./web/20161201130904im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/p/z/1/9/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1416379073075.png)
About 40 per cent of children and young people rely on junk food to fuel themselves through the day despite these foods tending to be low on nutrients and associated with increased risk of obesity.
The report recommends restricting the advertising of unhealthy food and drink on free-to-air television up to 9pm to limit its exposure to children under 16.
3. Boost anti-smoking campaigns
![The takeover would mark BAT's return to the US, which has become more attractive again for Big Tobacco after some high-profile lawsuits have been settled.](http://web.archive.org./web/20161201130904im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/8/8/j/7/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1477142159609.png)
While smoking rates have been falling, tobacco use is still linked to about 15,000 Australian deaths each year and remains the leading cause of preventable death in Australia. It cost the economy $38 billion in 2008.
The AHPC wants to reduce the 12.8 per cent of Australians who smoke to 5 per cent by 2025 through mass media campaigns, and campaigns with messages specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders communities.
These could be paid for with tobacco tax revenue, which generated more than $10 billion this year, according to estimates.
4. Help everyone quit smoking
Smoking rates remain disproportionately high among highly disadvantaged groups, including people with mental illness and Aboriginal and TSI Australians.
To reduce smoking rates among the disadvantaged, the group calls for increased funding for media campaigns, ensure smoke-free laws are implemented and incorporate smoking cessation targets in government funding agreements.
5. Get physical
![Children take part in physical activities and games at Sydney Olympic park Homebush Bay as part of a school holiday program called Kids in the Park. Wednesday 30 June 2004 SMH News Photograph by JON REID/JHR Story by Brigid Delaney SPECIAL 0000](http://web.archive.org./web/20161201130904im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/z/e/t/w/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1480320344006.png)
Almost three million Australian children are not doing enough physical activity, which is a risk factor for mental illness, heart disease and cancer. Inactivity is estimated to be costing Australia more than $800 million each year.
Australian children are among the most "chauffeured" in the world with two-thirds of 5 to 6 year old and more than half 9 to 10 year olds driven to school.
National initiatives promoting active travel to and from school are cheap and provide opportunities for kids and their parents to undertake daily exercise.
A national physical activity framework should be implemented and include support for safe walking, scootering and cycling.
6. Step up booze taxes
![AFR. Generic pic of beer, alcohol, pubs, fosters, drinking, obesity, depression, drugs, Pic by Nic Walker. Date12th Jan 2010.](http://web.archive.org./web/20161201130904im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/s/6/r/c/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1479609905078.png)
Alcohol is linked to about 5500 deaths and 157,000 hospital admissions each year.
A 10 per cent increase in the current tax on alcohol, and volume-based taxation applied consistently across types of booze, could save the health system millions, the report said.
7. Fight mental illness with employment
Unemployment and financial duress take a large toll on the mental and physical health of Australians living with mental illness.
Loss of work production due to psychotic disorders costs Australia an estimated $2.62 billion each year.
Supported vocational programs have good outcomes for people with mental illness, scaling up and integrating these programs should be a priority.
8. Reduce the salt in food
![MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 19: A vendor holds a pretzel at the Hofbraeu tent on the opening day of the 2015 Oktoberfest on September 19, 2015 in Munich, Germany. The 182nd Oktoberfest will be open to the public from September 19 through October 4 and will draw millions of visitors from across the globe in the world's largest beer fest. (Photo by Philipp Guelland/Getty Images) Getty?](http://web.archive.org./web/20161201130904im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/z/c/s/6/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1480316657901.png)
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and the second highest contributor to disease burden, the report noted.
Reducing salt from the food reduces the risk of heart disease. About 75 per cent of salt in an Australian diet comes from processed and pre packaged foods.
Reducing Australia's salt intake by 30 per cent by 2025 could save an estimated 3500 lives each year by reducing cardiovascular disease, stroke and kidney disease, the report said.
Limiting the amount of salt permitted in both staple foods and highly processed foods could reduce the burden on the Australian health by billions.
The Healthy Food Partnership - between industry, government and public health, should adopt salt targets for selected product categories.
It should consult on adopting the UK's 2017 salt content targets for remaining food categories, support independent monitoring of targets and publish reports on salt reduction progress.
9. Protect our hearts
Most Australians at risk of a heart event, an estimated 970,000, are not receiving optimal treatment.
Targeted screening and treatment for risk assessment in 45-74 year olds, and from 35 years for Aboriginal and TSI, should be implemented, along with strategies to increase engagement, particularly with disadvantaged communities.
10. Keep on tracking
Invest in a national measurement and monitoring of chronic diseases and risk factors conducted every five years.
![Healthcharts for Rania Spooner.?](http://web.archive.org./web/20161201130904im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/z/d/l/e/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x0.png/1480318006125.png)
A spokesman for rural health minister Dr David Gillespie said the government was not advocating for sugar taxes or salt reduction targets.
He said the Healthy Food Partnership, which involves food industry bodies and public health groups meeting with government four times a year, was making progress.
"We're bringing everyone under one tent and they're working together and we're starting to get some results," he said.
The UK were able to reduce salt levels in food products using targets without legislative reform by 20 to 40 per cent over the past ten years, said Dr Bruce Bolam from VicHealth.