Latrobe Health Services supports more than 520,000 free heart health checks in partnership with the Shane Warne Legacy Foundation and SiSU Health

MELBOURNE, Victoria, 18 December 2023: Latrobe Health Services, a not-for-profit registered private health insurer with more than 95,000 members is supporting more than 520,000 free heart health checks in partnership with Shane Warne Legacy Foundation and SiSU Health. 

More than 23,000 Australians are expected to take advantage of the free heart health checks at the MCG on the Boxing Day Test. Throughout 2024 the partners aim to provide 500,000 additional free heart health tests to Australians to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and save lives. 

Shane Warne's passing sparked an increase in public interest in heart disease and heart attacks. Medicare has reported a 62% increase from March 2022 to January 2023 in heart health checks. But despite the increase, participation rates for eligible females and males remain at less than 2% of the total Australian population in the period November 2022 to October 2023. More specifically, average participation rates for all genders remain low at 0.7% for 35 to 44year-olds, 1.3% for 45 to 54 year olds, and 2.0% for 55 to 64 year olds in the past 12 months.

In a nationwide survey by SiSU Health, 65.4% of adult Australians reported they had not had their blood pressure measured in the last 12 months. High blood pressure is the leading global preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death.

Latrobe Health Services, Chief Executive Officer, Ian Whitehead, says "The sudden death of Shane Warne in 2022 was a reminder that too many Australians are unaware of heart health risks. Partnering with the Shane Warne Legacy Heart Test Campaign we can raise awareness of heart health and offer 23,000 free heart health tests at the MCG and aim to provide a further 500,000 free heart health tests throughout 2024.   

Latrobe Health Services has been working with Wesfarmers Health for the last 18 months to sponsor free heart health tests for Victorians. "It is a great tragedy that 43,000 Australians die from a heart condition each year in Australia, so together we've on a mission to bring the technology to Australian communities throughout the country to revolutionise the way we detect heart health and together help save lives," says Mr Whitehead. 

Latrobe Health Services has been funding free heart tests across regional Victoria at events, shopping places and workplaces for the past 18 months. Results of all Latrobe Health funded heart tests are provided to participants immediately via the SiSU Health App and participants are referred onto their GP where required.

"Participants will be able to take these results to their GP for further advice and direction and be able to track these results over time. To date, these tests have referred almost 400 participants to their GP for follow up. Importantly we've seen that these tests have had life changing impacts for participants," explains Mr Whitehead. 

Latrobe Health Services is a not-for-profit, for purpose, private health insurer. It has a strong focus on regional Australians and improving access to health care for its members and their communities.

Latrobe Health Services, Head of Marketing and Business Development, Ms Kate Jarvis reports in 2022 a 38-year-old man from Sale, presented at one of the testing stations at a shopping centre. "Our team were immediately worried about his wellbeing and called an ambulance for him on the spot. The next day he had triple bypass surgery - saving his life. 

"We've also had instances more recently where tests have identified individuals with diabetes or who are pre-diabetic but did not know. These participants were referred onto their GPs immediately to begin a screening process," she reports. 

In 2024 the partners will aim to provide 500,000 free heart health tests to Australians to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and save lives. 

-ENDS-

Media Enquiries 

** Kate Jarvis, Head of Marketing and Business Development, Latrobe Health Services will be at the Boxing Day test and available for interview.**

Kathryn Goater (till 21 December 2023)

Media-Wize

0414 726 958

kathryn@media-wize.com

Rachael Millar (from 22 December 2023 onwards)

Latrobe Health Services

0408 031 226

rgm@lhs.com.au 

Kate Jarvis (from 22 December 2023 onwards)

Latrobe Health Services 

0488 932 179

kej@lhs.com.au

About Latrobe Health Services  

Latrobe Health Services is an Australian-owned not-for-profit registered private health insurer with more than 95,000 members across Australia. We pride ourselves on providing quality cover for our members, and exceptional service when our members need us. 

Founded in 1950, Latrobe Health Services was established by power industry workers to provide for the health care needs of residents in the Latrobe Valley, Victoria, and at the time focused on providing medical services such as hospitals and ambulances. Much has changed since 1950, with Latrobe Health now providing hospital and extras coverage for members Australia-wide.  

Latrobe Health Services remains a regionally focused and based private health insurer that exists to benefit and support its members and the communities in which they live. 

Photograph (see attached): Kate Jarvis (Head of Marketing) and Ian Whitehead (CEO) Latrobe Health Services kick off the partnership with Shane Warne Legacy