AusLeisure

With incontinence on the rise and now affecting one in four Australians of all ages and genders, female fitness franchise Curves last week partnered with the Continence Foundation of Australia to promote World Continence Week.

Held from 18th to 24th June, World Continence Week is a campaign that uses humour to encourage people to talk about their embarrassing and frequently painful bladder and bowel troubles that can lead to anxiety, depression and other serious health issues.

Explaining that, while often curable, only 30% of people with a problem seek help Continence Foundation of Australia Chief Executive, Rowan Cockerell states “World Continence Week is a timely reminder that the majority of people affected by incontinence can be treated, better managed and even cured. It is important people make the call for help.”

Advising that the stigma of incontinence prevents people taking action for the condition that won’t get better on its own, Cockerell adds “we know that many people dismiss their leaking as a normal part of getting older or after having a baby. But it’s not normal and can have a seriously negative impact on the daily life for millions of women, men and even children.

“This silent epidemic is costing the Australian economy a staggering $67 billion each year including the burden of disease, health costs, work productivity losses, carer and continence aid costs. It is a massive problem but the good news is we are working to provide the solution.”

The Continence Foundation is working with the Australian Government to deliver the National Continence Program providing awareness, information, resources, workforce education and advocacy.

This includes the National Continence Helpline 1800 33 00 66 which answers over 30,000 calls for help each year and the National Public Toilet Map showing the location of over 16,000 publicly available toilets across Australia.

Comedian and actor Bev Killick, who has lived with incontinence all her life, last week visited the Curves Weston club in the ACT.

She is among the many inspiring stories of Australians that the Continence Foundation shared during World Continence Week.

Killick who is now on the ‘road to continence’ since becoming the Laugh Without Leaking Ambassador, added “if you keep it hidden and secret it can become an even bigger problem. Humour is a great tool for breaking down those barriers and showing people that they’re not alone and they can do something about it.”

For further information go to laughwithoutleaking.com.au and www.continence.org.au

Image: Bev Killick visits Curves Weston during World Continence Week. 

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