Programs projects and lessons: National

Details and links (where available) of national programs and projects of relevance to the nutritional health of Indigenous peoples are provided here.

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The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan 2000-2010 (NATSINSAP)

The NATSINSAP was developed recognising that poor diet is central to the poor health and disproportionate burden of chronic disease experienced by Indigenous Australians. The NATSINSAP sets a framework for action across all levels of government, in conjunction with partners from industry and the non - government sector.

Through the identification of seven priority areas, the NATSINSAP has been designed to build on existing efforts to improve access to nutritious and affordable food across urban, rural and remote communities.

  • Food supply in remote and rural communities
  • Food security and socioeconomic status
  • Family focused nutrition promotion
  • Nutrition issues in urban areas
  • The environment and household infrastructure
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Workforce
  • National food and nutrition information systems

The NATSINSAP was first developed for the Strategic Inter-Governmental Alliance (SIGNAL) and was endorsed by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in August 2001, aligned to the public health nutrition strategy for all Australians, called Eat well Australia. The NATSINSAP remains as relevant and critical today. To progress key areas a NATSINSAP Project Officer, under the guidance of a national Steering Group and Reference Group has been funded by the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health until October 2008.

  • Related publications:
    • Strategic Inter-Governmental Nutrition Alliance (2001)
      National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition strategy and action plan 2000-2010 and first phase activities 2000-2003.
      View summary (PDF - 608KB)
      View report (PDF - 744KB)
    • Laurence S, Myers J (2008)
      NATSINSAP quarterly update, April 2008
      Melbourne: National Heart Foundation
      View update (PDF - 151KB)

    Contact: Sharon Laurence
    NATSINSAP Senior Project Officer Heart Foundation,
    Level 12, 500 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
    Ph: (03) 9321 1566
    Fax: (03) 9321 1574
    Email: Sharon.laurence@heartfoundation.org.au

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    Indigenous

    Project name: Healthy for Life
    Project summary: Healthy for Life is an Australian Government program, announced in the 2005-06 budget, which provides funding to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers, babies and children. It also aims to improve the quality of life for people with a chronic condition and, over time, reduce the incidence of adult chronic disease.
    View information: Healthy for Life
    View website: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

    Project name: Remote Indigenous Stores and Takeaways project
    Project summary: The Remote Indigenous Stores and Takeaways (RIST) Project was established in 2005 by the SA, WA, NT, QLD, NSW and Australian Government Health Departments to improve access to a healthy food supply for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander People in remote communities. The project builds on other initiatives to establish and improve standards for ‘healthy' remote stores. To reach the goals of the project, the following resources have been developed:

    Contact: Sharon Laurence
    NATSINSAP Senior Project Officer Heart Foundation,
    Level 12, 500 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
    Ph: (03) 9321 1566
    Fax: (03) 9321 1574
    Email: Sharon.laurence@heartfoundation.org.au

    Project name: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child and Maternal Health Exemplar Site Initiative
    Project summary: The primary aim of the initiative was to document the elements of successful child and maternal health service provision to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to inform policy and program development.
    Three sites were established under the initiative:

    • Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service's Mums and Babies Project (June 2002)
    • Nganampa Health Council's Child and Maternal Health Program (May 2003)
    • Durri Aboriginal Health Service Djuli Galban Program (May 2004).
    View information: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child and Maternal Health Exemplar Site Initiative
    View website: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

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    General

    Project name: Crunch & Sip
    Project summary: Crunch & Sip encourages children to eat fruit and vegetables and drink water every day. Schools implement a formal break allowing students to eat fruit and vegetables and drink water in the classroom. It is a healthy way for children to refuel, it aids concentration and mental and physical performance at school. It is suitable for adoption at work sites.
    View website: Crunch and Sip Campaign

    Project name: Falling in love with food
    Project summary: As part of Nutrition Week celebrations Nutrition Australia encourages schools and workplaces to promote the importance of lunch. Nutrition Week activities focus on preparing and sharing at school and work and appreciating the value in taking the time to enjoy healthy meals together. Nutrition Australia provides kits packed with promotion ideas.
    View website: Nutrition Australia

    Project name: Go for 2&5
    Project summary: The national Go for 2 & 5 campaign aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption of Australians. Involving a mixture of public-private partnerships, the project brings together government, fruit and vegetable producers, retailers, health related non government organisations and relevant government departments.
    View website: Go for 2&5 Campaign

    Project name: Good Start Breakfast Club
    Project summary: The Good Start Breakfast Club is a community program run by the Australian Red Cross with support from Coles Supermarkets. Volunteers serve breakfast every day for school kids in areas of greatest need around Australia. The service provides nutritional support in a comforting environment and works toward encouraging children to develop social and living skills. Through nutritional and social support, the Good Start Breakfast Club program can help young school students to achieve their full potential.
    View website: The Good Start Breakfast Club

    Project name: 'Healthy Active Australia' Community and Schools Grants Program
    Project summary: The community and schools grants program ‘Healthy Active Australia' is a community and schools grants program to promote physical activity and healthy eating.will provide grants to not-for-profit, community organisations to conduct healthy eating and/or physical activity projects at the local level across Australia. In February 2006, the Council of Australian Governments announced the Australian Better Health Initiative (ABHI). In July 2006, Australian Health Ministers approved the ABHI implementation plan, including $12 million for the community and schools grants program to promote physical activity and healthy eating.The program will assist at-risk target groups (such as children, adolescents, young women, families in lower socio-economic and rural/remote areas, and Indigenous communities) to increase physical activity and healthy eating, and promote healthy living at the ‘grassroots' level in Australian schools and communities.
    View website: Healthy Active Australia' Community and Schools Grants Program
    Ph: (02) 6289 4381
    Email: healthyactiveaustralia@health.gov.au

    Project name: National Child Nutrition projects
    Project summary: The National Child Nutrition Program is a 3 year community grants program targeting the nutrition and long term eating patterns of children aged 0 - 12 years of age and pregnant women. A high priority has been given to projects in rural and remote communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and lower socio-economic communities. The program supports community-based projects aiming to improve nutrition-related knowledge and skills of children and their parents; the capacity of communities to promote better nutritional health; and access to, and availability of, nutritious foods.
    View information: National Child Nutrition projects
    View website: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

    Project name: The Healthy Active Ambassadors Program
    Project summary: The Healthy Active Ambassadors Program is an initiative of the Australian Government, funded under the Australian Better Health Initiative. The program was announced in July 2006 and will run for two years. The program aims to raise awareness among Australians of the importance of healthy living and maintaining a healthy body weight. It will target all Australians, with a particular focus on youth.
    View information: The Healthy Active Ambassadors Program
    View website: Healthy Active Australia

    Project name: The National Diet and Physical Activity Survey
    Project summary: The Australian and Food Grocery Council (AFGC) has partnered with the Federal Government to undertake a national diet and physical activity survey of children 2-15 years – the focus of the Government's Healthy Weight 2008 strategy. The AFGC contributed $1m to initiate this survey and to encourage the Government to commit to an ongoing program of monitoring the diet and physical activity of Australians in all age groups. It has done so as a public good, and the information will be made publicly available.The project will be managed by a steering group that is advised on the design and execution of the survey by a reference group of independent experts. 
    View website : The Australian and Food Grocery Council

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    Last updated: 6 August 2008