Our focus on healthy environments is based on a growing body of evidence which shows a strong relationship between the environment and people's health.

We know that where we live shapes how easy it is to buy healthy food, use active transport, access public open spaces and make social connections. 

Healthy Built Environments support positive health outcomes by making healthy, active lifestyle choices easier.

We partner with local councils, the National Heart Foundation and other local health districts to contribute to healthy environments that make the healthier choice, the easier choice.

Tips for participating in your community and local council’s decisions:

• Visit your Council’s website. Find the 'Have your say' section. Choose the issue you want to comment on and respond as instructed. Different Councils may have different names for this section. For example, InnerWest Council uses ‘Have your say’ and Burwood Council is ‘Participate Burwood’.
• Subscribe to your local council’s updates and newsletters.
• Share your ideas with council and other planning organisations – for example healthy places you would like to see in your area, like The East West Regional Cycleway Canada Bay.
• Join a community action group. Visit Our Community to find a not-for-profit group to join.

There are many different ways you can take part in your community. To learn more about our Healthy Built Environment work, contact Suzanne Gleeson, Health Promotion Unit at suzanne.gleeson@health.nsw.gov.au

Healthy Food and Drinks in NSW Health Facilities

Sydney Local Health District is making changes to the food and drink choices available in our health facilities.
 

The aim is to make healthy choices easier.

Did you know?

• One in two adults, and one in five children in NSW are overweight or obese.
• Only seven per cent of adults eat the recommended amount of vegetables.
• Only 54 per cent of adults eat the recommended amount of fruit.

By making healthier choices easier in healthcare settings, and limiting sugary food and drinks, we will lead the way for our patients and visitors. We hope these changes will help our community better understand the link between food and drinks choices, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Let’s work together to get healthy by making healthy choices easy.

The NSW Health Healthy Food and Drink in NSW Health Facilities for Staff and Visitors Framework ​provides best practice guidelines to increase the availability of healthy options to make the healthy choice an easy choice for our staff and visitors.

What changes are being made?

Changes to food availability and options introduced in 2018 include:

• Vending machines will be stocked with at least 75 per cent everyday food and drinks
• Muesli bars have a Health Star Rating of 3.5 stars or above
• Sweet muffins meet the portion size limit of 80g
• Confectionary and packaged salty snacks meet the portion size limit of 50g
• Foods and drinks placed at eye level on shelves are everyday foods and drinks only
• Food and drink advertising materials on vending machine are supportive of everyday foods and drinks