Australian-first trial supporting community nursing to encourage lifestyle changes for those most at risk.
With almost half the adult population obese or overweight and with even more making unhealthy lifestyle choices
involving alcohol and tobacco, Australia is facing a crisis of premature death and rising health costs.
South East Sydney & Illawarra Area Health Service (SESIAHS) staff and researchers from the University of New
South Wales (UNSW) are undertaking a trial to reverse these alarming trends by targeting in their homes those most at
risk.
The two-year trial will examine the effectiveness of brief intervention around lifestyle risks by community health
nurses during their routine practice.
This week the recruiters will start phoning potential volunteers to take part in the trial.
The ‘SNAP’ (Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical activity) trial will be conducted with residents referred to
the community health service from Kiama, Warilla, Dapto and Figtree areas, trial participants will be asked to
participate in a series of phone interviews.
Warilla Community Health Centre Nursing Manager Heather Smith said community nurses are well placed to help
people lead healthier lifestyles.
“This is the first trial of its kind in Australia to involve community nurses to tackle lifestyle change, which is
critical to preventing and managing chronic conditions such as diabetes,” Ms Smith said.
“Community nurses see their clients regularly over a period of a few weeks or months, and they visit patients in their
home which gives them access to people who may not be regular users of health services.”
“What’s more, their caseloads often include people with diabetes and other chronic diseases, who have much to benefit
from lifestyle change.”
SNAP Recruitment Officer Carla Lisle said that during the trial nurses will ask clients about their lifestyle habits and
offer assistance to those interested in making positive changes.
“This could include a personalised action plan and helpful information to kick start new habits,” Ms Lisle said.
The trial focuses on those lifestyle choices that are estimated to account for 32 percent of Australia’s total disease
burden.
Even small changes in lifestyle can make a big difference. Overseas studies have shown that losing about five percent
of weight can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by as much as 60 percent in those at risk, and the risk of heart
disease is halved in as little as 12 months after quitting smoking.
Funded by NSW Health as part of the Australian Better Health Initiative, the trial will focus on four sites: Lower Hunter,
Newcastle, Warilla/Dapto and Wingecarribee/Macarthur.
All clients aged 30-80 years referred to a community nurse in participating areas may be invited to take part in the
study.
Eligible clients will be contacted at the time of referral and invited to complete a 15 minute telephone interview
prior to the first visit by the nurse and again after three and six months.
Media Enquiries: David Brown 4253 4859 or 0434 327 954
