Author - Nicola MacCue

The Victorian Government has recently allocated $600 million to improve the health and well-being of its residents. WorkSafe Victoria have introduced the ‘WorkHealth’  program, which is expected to service all of Victoria’s 2.6 million workers by 2013.

Annually, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases cost Victoria's health system more than $600 million, and last year employee illness and sick-days cost Victorian businesses more than $400 million. The Victorian Government is hoping that the program will result in a decrease in these costs.

The confidential 15-minute workplace health checks are designed to focus on the prevention of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease, through the assessment of risk-factors (including blood pressure, blood sugar levels and waist size). Last year alone, almost 500 Victorians were found to be at "high risk" and were advised to see a GP within 24 hours.

Will the NSW government follow suit?

Click on this link to read more about the Victorian Government's 'WorkHealth' program.