Released 22/07/2020
The ACT Government continues to support the health of all Canberrans with the next round of Healthy Canberra Grants opening today. The grants will provide up to $1.9 million in funding for programs to increase social connectedness and reduce the impact of chronic illness in the community.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said these grants will help to reduce the significant burden of chronic disease in the ACT.
“As a population, Canberrans have one of the highest life expectancies in the world. But while we are living longer, we are also living with a greater burden of chronic illness. Approximately half of all adults in the ACT report living with a long-term health condition.
“This grant round will support community organisations to provide more support to Canberrans living with a chronic disease, keeping people away from hospital and encouraging more participation in healthy social activities,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The second focus of this grant round is improving social connectedness.
“We know that people who lack social connections are at increased risk of poor physical and psychological health and there is a strong correlation between poor social connectedness and mortality from almost every cause of death,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The grants support ACT Government’s Healthy Canberra: ACT Preventive Health Plan 2020-2025, which seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of all Canberrans throughout every stage of their life.
More information on how to apply:
Applications close on 4 September 2020
Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the ACT Health Promotion Grants Program by email hpgrants@act.gov.au or phone ((02) 5124 9456 to discuss their program ideas and questions about the funding round.
For more information including access to the application form and funding guidelines visit health.act.gov.au/hpgrants
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Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases