Deadly Choices Ambassadors Willie Tonga and Petero Civoniceva
Two former NRL stars and a touch rugby world champion will be on hand to help Central West Health launch Deadly Choices in Longreach tomorrow.
The community is invited to attend the launch, which is the first time a Deadly Choices event has been held in the Central West region.
Deadly Choices, developed by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, aims to improve lifestyle behaviours and promote healthy living among First Nations people.
Executive Director for Central West Health’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Tina Griffiths said such initiatives were important to efforts to Close the Gap.
“Deadly Choices empowers First Nations people of all ages to take responsibility for their own health,” she said.
“It has a remarkable record in educating the community and helping people to stop smoking, eat good food and exercise daily.
“Since this program was developed in 2010, there has been a significant increase in the number of health checks undertaken by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Queensland.
“I look forward to Deadly Choices having a strong impact in the Central West region.”
Deadly Choices ambassadors Petero Civoniceva, Brenton Bowen and Bo de la Cruz will attend the event.
“We urge local First Nations people to come along, meet three Queensland sports stars, and learn how they can improve their own health and wellbeing,” Ms Griffiths said.
Deadly Choices will be launched at 10am-12pm on Tuesday, 19 September, at Edkins Park, Longreach.
The event will feature health promotion stalls and healthy food.
For more information about the launch, contact Alinta Warner at Alinta.Warner@health.qld.gov.au or 0499 714 995.
For more information about Deadly Choices, visit https://deadlychoices.com.au/.