Magda’s Big National Health Check

Television ABC
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Starts on Tuesday, 1 November, 8.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.

National Treasure Magda Szubanski is on a mission to improve our health and wellbeing as a nation. That Magda discovers will shock and excite us – what’s working for us and what can we do better?

In Magda’s Big National Health Check Magda takes a deep dive into the state of our health while reflecting on her own. Most of all Magda wants to help drive change, both in our own lives, in our community and as a nation.

“This has been an eye-opening experience. I was quite shocked to learn just how unhealthy we are as a nation! And also, to discover some of the unexpected external factors that can determine our health outcomes. But I was also very excited to see how many terrific initiatives are out there in the community, finding innovative and fun ways that we can help one another get healthier together!” said Magda.

Over three episodes, Magda embarks on an immersive and personal journey to discover what health looks like in Australia today. She is determined to find the answers she needs about how we can improve our chances of a healthy life in the lucky country. In her inimitable style what she discovers is astounding, meeting everyday Australians and experts who offer real hope for us all to take action!

Deeply invested, Magda identifies the biggest risks to our health – and immerses herself in finding the solutions we need. She reveals how we can work as a community towards better health – and challenges government to be part of the solution.

Magda’s Big National Health Check empowers us to make our health and wellbeing a shared priority. The series covers the issues and explores simple and bold solutions for a healthier lifestyle for all Australians.

Magda’s Big National Health Check is part of ABC’s Your Move national conversation about our key health issues, inviting Australians to make one change for their health.

For more health & fitness programming visit Your Move collection on ABC iview.

PRODUCTION CREDITS: A Southern Pictures production for ABC in association with Film Victoria. Executive Producer: Laurie Critchley. Series Producer: Mish Armstrong. ABC Manager – Factual: Julie Hanna. Acting Head of Factual and Culture: Richard Huddleston.

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This should be interesting to watch.

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Episode 1: Tuesday, 1 November, 8.30pm

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In episode one, Magda uncovers the epidemic of chronic disease in Australia. Nearly 50% of Australians have at least one long-term illness — and it’s killing 9 out of 10 of us.

Magda learns it’s not just the individual, the system is against us. As Dr Sandro Demaio points out, “I do believe the cards are stacked against us when it comes to being healthy in Australia today”. Digging deeper, Magda identifies that today many of us are too sedentary and we eat too much junk food. Today, obesity and poor nutrition are starting to overtake smoking as the biggest cause of premature disease and death.

Magda uncovers the importance of our postcode (where we live) in shaping up to 50% of our health outcomes. She also learns that we need more regulation of junk food advertising — because of its impact on the health of our kids.

Magda meets a town that is fighting back… keeping out global burger franchises, building good infrastructure that makes health a community responsibility, and bringing people (herself included) together to have a heart health check. On the course of her journey Magda also gets a very personal health shock!