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Peak professional and industry organisations in Australia's health and exercise sectors - including the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, Australian Strength and Conditioning Association, AUSActive, Exercise and Sports Science Australia, Physical Activity Australia and Sports Medicine Australia - have announced their coming together to form the Health and Exercise Professional Forum (HEPF).

Collaborating to communicate a shared position to Government on key issues that affect a healthier, more active nation, Exercise & Sports Science Australia will serve as the Secretariat for the new body.

Introducing the Forum and its objectives, ESSA Chief Executive, Anita Hobson-Powell stated "all levels of Government need to step up and significantly invest in exercise and physical activity services.”

Advising that two particular current issues that the HEPF are focusing on initially are Preventative health and the Impact of COVID-19 on the Exercise/Physical Activity Sector, Hobson-Powell added "the member organisations of HEPF represent a collective sum of over 57,500 health and exercise professionals. It’s these professionals that should be supported by Government in their role as key advisors, health care and service providers to promote preventative health to the community.

“Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an urgency for peak organisations to collaborate and advance joint advocacy rather than delay. More specifically, to engage Government on the importance of physical activity and movement and advocate for funding in systems that will assist these professionals.”

HEPF individual member organisations include:

• Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP)
• Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)
• Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLA)
• Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA)
• AUSActive
• Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
• Physical Activity Australia
• Sports Medicine Australia (SMA)

Members of the HEPF believe there is an opportunity now to present the best way forward for Government, and that this should be focussed upon the value of movement and the vital role the health and exercise professions play in promotion and implementation of programs and services that will benefit to a healthier Australia. 

To find out more about HEPF contact the Forum Secretariat at www.essa.org.au

Image courtesy of Club Active.

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