Improving heart health for all Australians

How can you help? 

Your views and experiences as a consumer of the Australian health care system are important to us. 

The Guidelines for the assessment and management of Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk (“the Guideline”) provide recommendations for Australian health professionals on the screening, prevention, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular disease risk.  

To be effective, clinical guidelines need to be regularly updated to ensure that they incorporate the latest evidence and recommend best practice. 

We are seeking consumer representation to form a group, the Consumer Advisory Panel, to contribute to our update of the guidelines. This is your opportunity to contribute to the health and well-being of all Australians.  

Please complete your application here. 

What would be involved? 

We need people who can: 

• Attend one hour teleconference meetings on a monthly basis (most likely on Tuesday evenings AEST) for the duration of the project which is expected to last 12-18 months 
• Express their point of view and concerns by contributing to committee discussions 
• Provide feedback on guideline documents.  
• Member positions are voluntary.  

About you 

To ensure the Guideline best meets the needs of the Australian public, we need the input of people from a diverse range of backgrounds. 

We encourage everyone who is interested to apply, regardless of your age, gender, geographical location, cultural background, or whether or not you (or a loved one) have experienced cardiovascular disease (CVD), or are at increased risk of CVD due to conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes. 

The role does not require a background in a health field or understanding of complex clinical or technical concepts or terminology.  

Why your views are important 

Recommendations made in a clinical guideline need to have people’s best interests at heart. The role of the Consumer Advisory Panel will involve: 

• Helping the guideline developers understand what is important to people regarding CVD assessment and management 
• ensuring shared decision making about treatment and delivery of care 
• ensuring information provided addresses a range of preferences and personal choices  
• helping the guideline considers issues of inclusivity and the diversity of the Australian population.    

The importance of the Guidelines for the assessment and management of Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk 

Cardiovascular disease (heart and vascular disease) is a leading cause of death in Australia. Approximately 2.5 million Australians are at risk of having their first heart attack or stroke in the next five years. Up to 90 per cent of these events are preventable by identifying and managing risk factors. 

The Guidelines for the assessment and management of Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk   are a tool used by health professionals to identify and manage people at risk. The Guideline will help reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease within the community and will improve the health of thousands of Australians.  

Who we are 

The Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA) brings together Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Australia, Heart Foundation, Kidney Health Australia, and Stroke Foundation to collectively advocate for prevention, risk assessment, management of risk, and early detection of chronic disease. At the heart of our work are the people affected by chronic disease and our members provide support and education, fund vital research, and develop clinical guidance for health professionals. 

Together we are working towards a future without preventable chronic disease, but we need your help! 

How to apply 

If this sounds like something you can contribute to, please complete the application here. We will contact you if we would like to proceed with your application. 

A copy of the Position Description is available here.






This project is being run by the Heart Foundation on behalf of the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance