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Coinciding with this NAIDOC week (3rd-10th July), some of Queensland’s State of Origin Rugby League players were recently joined by Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath to promote the importance of First Nations health.

Minister D’Ath was at the Maroons’ training base on the Gold Coast ahead of next week’s Origin 3 decider with current and former Queensland stars Johnathan Thurston, Valentine Holmes and Steve Renouf to encourage First Nations Queenslanders to make healthier choices.

The Queensland Government’s Deadly Choices program has been encouraging First Nations Queenslanders to make healthier choices since 2010. Deadly Choices is partnering with the Queensland Rugby League and its Deadly Maroons ambassadors to promote the importance of healthy lifestyles and regular health checks.

Deadly Choices is a school and community-based education program developed by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) and funded with Queensland Government funding of $25 million over three years through Health and Wellbeing Queensland.

Minister D’Ath advised “Eat good food, exercise daily and stop smoking are the key Deadly Choices messages - following these rules can make a huge difference to your health.

“These ambassadors are current and former Maroons players who serve as wonderful role models.

“They’re using their far-reaching influence to empower young First Nations people to make healthy choices for themselves, their families and communities.

“I want to acknowledge Deadly Choices and the Deadly Maroons ambassadors for their outstanding efforts to promote health in First Nations communities.”

Deadly Choices is making a real difference. In 2019-20 alone, the program:

• Conducted 23,419 health checks
• Engaged 9,587 new patients, taking the total number of patients to over 38,000
• Delivered 570 education programs with 5,686 program graduates
• Held 1,940 pop-up tobacco stalls and
• Managed 21 community events.

More on Deadly Choices https://deadlychoices.com.au/

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