If you thought moving to live in a rural or remote area of Australia will help you live longer, a recent study has highlighted that good country living, includes paying more for basic healthy foods, shortages of health care providers and services, difficulties in accessing health care and greater exposure to injury than your metropolitan neighbours.

According to Nutrition Australia Senior Dietitian Aloysa Hourigan, "This higher cost of basic healthy foods in rural and remote Australia raises concerns about the potential nutritional consequences for people in these regions."

"In some remote areas compared to metropolitan counterparts, heart disease rates are up to 50% higher. We know that food availability is poorest in the remote and rural areas of Australia, where the risk of lifestyle diseases is higher."

As part of National Nutrition Week 2001 (14-20 October), Nutrition Australia is highlighting Regional Foods and Health. "We are looking at the foods produced and available in different geographical areas in Australia and how this relates to the health of the population of those regions." Said Ms Hourigan.

"With the abundant variety of fresh foods, Australia is often referred to as ‘the Land of Plenty’, though, the high incidence of lifestyle-related diseases suggests Australians need to be encouraged to take advantage of their wonderful food supply as a means of preventing these problems."

"Exploring a region can open up your eyes to the range of specialty foods available."

Further information about activities in Nutrition Week and Education Kit can be found on the Nutrition Australia website at www.NutritionAustralia.org.