Kidney Health Australia has today backed moves by the Western
Australian Government to implement warning labeling on Alcohol.
The issue is on the agenda for today's' meeting of Health
Minister's in Melbourne.
Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia said consumer
awareness of health destroying activities needs to become an
increasing part of the national prevention strategies given the
continuing success of the anti smoking programs.
The Government
commissioned research, by professors David Collins and Helen
Lapsley, showed the social and economic cost of alcohol was $15.3
billion in 2004-05.
"Whilst warning labels will not solve the problem on their own we
would strongly support their introduction as part of the binge
drinking strategy."
Ms Wilson said, smoking and excessive use of alcohol play a
central role in the current chronic disease issues facing Australia
as a major frontline economic challenge for government to curb
health budget blow out costs.
In 2005 / 2006 one third of all admissions to public hospitals
were due to dialysis, 2000 each day of the year. In Australia public
hospitals in 2005/6 visits related to Kidney Disease was 731,000 out
of a total of 2.215 million admissions.
Fast Facts on Chronic Kidney Disease in Australia
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a significant and growing public
health problem, responsible for substantial burden of illness and
premature mortality. In Australia, it is a fact that:
1 in 3 adults is at increased risk of developing CKD
1 in 7 adults has at least one clinical sign of existing CKD
A person can lose up to 90% of their kidney function before
experiencing any symptoms
Approximately 2 million Australians may be affected by
early-stage kidney disease and don't know it
Over 40 Australians die of kidney failure each day
11.3% of all deaths in Australia are due to, or associated with,
kidney failure
Every day, 6 Australians commence expensive dialysis or
transplantation to stay alive
Most people with CKD will die from cardiovascular causes before
requiring dialysis or transplantation
The dialysis-dependent population has risen by an average of 8%
per year over the past decade, and is being fuelled by the ageing
population, and Type 2 diabetes epidemic. It costs approximately
$60,000 per annum to keep a person alive on dialysis
For media interviews:
Anne Wilson, CEO Kidney Health
Australia Mobile: 0400 165 391
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director
Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith Media
Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201.
