Creating the Conditions for People to Lead Healthy, Fulfilling Lives: Law Reform to Prevent and Control NCDs

Abstract

'Creating the Conditions for People to Lead Healthy, Fulfilling Lives' forms part of a book on non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention called Dancing in the Rain: Living with NCDs, which is published by Future Leaders (an Australian philanthropic initiative) and is intended for a general audience. This chapter describes the growing global governance framework for NCD prevention and the range of new initiatives that governments around the world are using to combat NCDs, including measures that draw upon law and regulation. The chapter contrasts this widespread global innovation with Australia’s failure to take decisive action in the areas of obesity prevention and alcohol control. It asks why Australia has ended up as a 'laggard' in these areas when it remains the world leader in tobacco regulation, particularly following the recent introduction of plain packaging legislation. The chapter concludes by challenging Australia’s political leaders to champion legislative reform that more comprehensively addresses the modifiable risk factors for NCDs (including consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages, alcohol and tobacco, and physical inactivity) so that all Australians are empowered to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

Keywords: Non-communicable disease, obesity, alcohol, tobacco, law, regulation

JEL Classification: I18, K10, K30, K32