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Australia needs to follow New Zealand's lead on sports injuries

John W Orchard and Caroline F Finch
Med J Aust 2002; 177 (1): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04634.x
Published online: 1 July 2002

As lack of exercise is an established major risk factor for many chronic illnesses (particularly heart disease) and premature mortality, it is incumbent on government bodies to promote physical activity.1 However, one in five adult Australians is prevented from being more physically active by injury or disability.2 Thus, minimising injury associated with sports and physical exercise also needs to be a government priority.


  • 1 Sports Medicine Unit, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW.
  • 2 Trauma and Sports Injury Prevention Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC.


Correspondence: johnorchard@msn.com.au

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