Tasmanians are known for having big hearts, but unfortunately we also have too high a rate of heart disease.
Today I was delighted to launch the Heart Foundation’s Big Heart Appeal with a donation of $50,000 on behalf of the people of Tasmania.
I can also confirm that for the first time the Tasmanian Government will be providing $50,000 a year for the next three years so the Big Heart Appeal can have funding certainty going forward and the Heart Foundation can focus on what they do best, raising awareness of heart disease and the preventative actions that can be taken to reduce the prevalence.
The statistics around heart disease are confronting. One in four Tasmanians live with cardiovascular disease which means they have experienced a heart attack, stroke or angina.
Tragically, heart disease is the number one cause of death in Tasmania.
This is not acceptable and as a government our goal is for Tasmania to have Australia’s healthiest population by 2025.
This is achievable, but the statistics show we have a lot of work to do.
The Heart Foundation supports vital research work which is being carried out in Tasmania. There are currently five research projects underway and I wish those involved success in finding answers to reducing the incidence of this terrible disease.
Tasmanians are very generous people, and I am sure they will give what they can to the Big Heart Appeal as volunteers collect over the next month.
Will Hodgman, Premier
