Introduction

On 25 November 2014, the Mitchell Institute for Health and Education Policy hosted a forum focused on the policy issues associated with the prevention and management of chronic diseases in the Australian population. The forum was informed by the Mitchell Institute commissioned report Chronic Diseases in Australia: the case for changing course by Dr Sharon Willcox.

The paper summarises the evidence that confirms chronic diseases cause considerable harm to individuals and their families, with concomitant effects on the health system and the economy.

Although there is robust evidence on cost-effective interventions to prevent chronic diseases, Australia has a mixed scorecard in implementing a comprehensive approach to prevention. The 'Case for changing course' calls for the development of a national action plan on preventing chronic diseases by a broad-based expert coalition.