Focus on healthy ageing for natural healthcare month
30 August 2002
September is Natural Healthcare Month, created by the Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia (CHC) to generate a greater awareness of the benefits of natural healthcare products.
According to the CHC, natural healthcare products can be of benefit in the management of some age-related diseases such as arthritis, certain types of cancer, heart disease and brain function disorders such as dementia, and help relieve symptoms of age-related changes such as the menopause.
According to the Council, scientific knowledge continues to confirm the connection of nutrition with various diseases. Evidence over the past 4 decades has shown that most people do not obtain an optimal amount of disease-fighting vitamins from the diet alone (reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association 2002; 287:3116-29).
A Harvard Medical School research team recommended in its report to the JAMA that, in addition to a good diet and regular exercise, all adults should take one multivitamin pill daily and elderly people should take 2 multivitamin pills, as they are more susceptible to vitamin deficiencies.
A Newspoll survey conducted by the CHC in September 2001 showed that out of all adults polled:
- 86 per cent agreed that supplements have a role to play in maintaining good health;
- 83 per cent agreed that supplements have a role to play in preventing illness; and
- 66 per cent agreed that supplements have a role to play in helping cure illness.
According to a survey into consumers’ supplement use conducted by RP Scherer in October 2001, 77 per cent of Australians take natural healthcare products at least once a year.
Natural Healthcare Month
There are several events taking place throughout Natural Healthcare Month, including a 2-day summit for healthcare industry professionals. Titled Healthy Ageing: a National Imperative, the summit will focus on Australia’s ageing population, its impact on healthcare and how natural healthcare products can help in the prevention of age-related disease.
The summit takes place at Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, on 28 and 29 September, and the same venue also plays host to the trade-only Natural Healthcare Expo on 29 and 30 September.
Throughout September, CHC spokesperson Dr Giselle Cooke will talk about natural alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in a video interview to be screened in 1250 major medical centres and more than 50 major public hospitals around Australia. CHC leaflets, Managing Menopause Naturally, will be available in all these outlets plus CHC member health food stores.
Some health and medical centres will host healthy ageing seminars and information sessions; and retail stores will focus on effective natural supplements for healthy ageing.
About the CHC
The Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia is the peak body representing the overall natural and complementary healthcare industry in Australia.
It provides scientific information on the use of natural and complementary healthcare products, such as vitamin, mineral and nutritional supplements, special purpose foods, herbal and aromatherapy products, homoeopathics and natural cosmetics.
The CHC recommends that consumers have improved access to well-researched information on complementary and natural healthcare products. It also recommends that patients inform all healthcare practitioners they may consult about all healthcare products and medicines they may be taking.
Last Reviewed: 27 August 2002
