Katungul Aboriginal Corporation have joined forces with the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Brisbane (IUHI) to deliver the Deadly Choices program on the South East Coast of NSW. Rugby league legend Steve Renouf will announce the partnership today at a community event in Narooma, joined by Canberra Raiders players Jack Wighton and Aidan Sezer The partnership expands the delivery of Deadly Choices across Australia, representing an ongoing commitment by community controlled health organisations to Close the Gap in Indigenous life expectancy. Deadly Choices is a community-based healthy lifestyle campaign launched in 2013. It has a particular focus on young people, as well as the importance of exercise, education, school attendance, quitting smoking, and regular preventive health checks. “This new partnership with Katungul will provide a powerful platform for spreading the Deadly Choices message, and the opportunity to continue improving Indigenous health in the region,” said IUIH CEO Adrian Carson. “Partnerships like this one are an important vehicle for positive change in the lifestyle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples” Mr Carson said. "We are really excited to partner with Deadly Choices to further expand the program and the benefits it provides to community,” said Robert Skeen, CEO of Katungul Aboriginal Corporation. “We’re empowering community to make Deadly Choices, by getting their health checked and spreading the message that prevention is better than cure,” Mr Skeen said. In September, Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt AM announced that legendary Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous players would become ambassadors for the Deadly Choices program. Community members who get their 715 Health Check at a participating Aboriginal Medical Service – such as Katungul – during the World Cup can score a special edition Deadly Kangaroos World Cup jersey.
