ACDPA welcomes new Executive Officer
February 2023
The Chair of the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA) has welcomed its new Executive Officer, Lucy Westerman.
“I’m thrilled that Lucy has joined ACDPA to work with the teams at six of Australia’s peak health organisations to identify opportunities to influence health policy and develop joint recommendations to reduce the burden of chronic disease in Australia” said Chris Forbes, ACDPA Chair, and CEO Kidney Health Australia.
Lucy is deeply committed to helping people to enjoy better health for longer, having experienced impact of chronic diseases on her family. Lucy has channelled this commitment into roles spanning local and global chronic disease prevention and health promotion roles, including in government, non-profit organisations, and research. Most recently Lucy worked at the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) on commercial determinants of health, prior to which she led chronic disease prevention advocacy at the global Non-communicable Disease (NCD) Alliance, of which ACDPA is a member.
Lucy is energised by the opportunity to build on ACDPA’s 20-year history of collaboration, initiatives, and advocacy:
"Health is such a precious asset, and Australia boasts a rich history of governments, researchers and charities, like ACDPA’s members, being leaders in protecting health, preventing chronic disease and improving lives. But we all need to up our game. While we may be living longer, half of Australians are affected by chronic conditions. Too many Australians have too little control over what shapes their health, don’t know their risk of illness, and can’t access the care they need when and where they need it.
“With greater investment in promoting health and preventing chronic disease, and understanding, detecting, and mitigating people’s risk of chronic disease early, people in Australia can be healthier for longer. There’s no better time to join forces to support action on the plans, guidelines, strategies and what we know works to give more Australians the gift of better health and wellbeing.”
ACDPA comprises Cancer Council Australia, Heart Foundation, Diabetes Australia, Stroke Foundation, Kidney Health Australia, and Lung Foundation Australia.
