Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience significantly poorer health outcomes compared with other Australians. Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes are responsible for the majority of the ‘gap’ in Indigenous life expectancy. Nutrition and physical activity are two important risk factors in the prevention of chronic disease.

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) is committed to improving nutrition, physical activity and reducing the chronic disease burden among the Victorian Aboriginal Community. This Strategy is the result of a comprehensive review of the Indigenous health promotion literature and a state-wide consultation process. It recommends strategies and actions that will build on current activities of VACCHO and its members as well as recommend strategies for consideration by the State Government in a coordinated approach to preventing chronic disease in Victorian Aboriginal Communities.

The Strategy is intended to inform government thinking and decision making by:

• Highlighting the role of healthy eating and physical activity in reducing the burden of disease among Indigenous Victorians
• Providing a synthesis of the research evidence identifying ‘what works’ in improving nutrition and physical activity for Aboriginal people
• Providing a synthesis of the qualitative data gathered during the consultation process demonstrating the felt needs of the Victorian Aboriginal community around nutrition and  physical activity
• Recommending a set of evidence-informed strategies and actions for government which have the support of the Aboriginal community- controlled health sector.

This Strategy is also aligned with other relevant Victorian Government strategies. These include A Fairer Victoria 2008, the Victorian Indigenous Affairs Framework and the ‘Go for your life’ Strategic Plan. Furthermore, it has been uncorporated into the Victorian Advisory Council on Koori Health (VACKH) Draft Victorian Aboriginal Health Plan.

Tackling preventable chronic diseases involves working to address a range of risk factors in order to reduce the overall amount of disease and prevent new cases. For Indigenous Australians, the biggest health gains can be achieved by tackling smoking, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, high cholesterol, excessive alcohol consumption, high blood pressure and insufficient fruit and vegetable intake. A comprehensive approach to chronic disease prevention requires action on each of these risk factors, often in combination, through a range of settings and at government policy level.