What's in the April/May issue of Prevention

Prevention editor, Jacqui Mooney.

Gratitude’s been on my mind a lot lately. And not only because it’s one of the hottest topics in positive psychology and wellness. It’s also something I’ve been feeling (frequently!) as we put together this very special annual issue.

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Four years ago, when I first joined Prevention, I had a lightbulb moment — create a campaign that combines the two things that make this magazine truly great: Australian women 40+ and the concept of preventative health. Little did I know at the time, that tiny seed of an idea would grow into something bigger and more influential than I ever could have imagined.

Right now, there are so many important health issues. Every day, more than 200 people are diagnosed with diabetes. One in eight women will be touched by breast cancer during their lifetime. And heart disease remains the biggest killer of women and men.

But despite all that, those at the forefront of health have never been more optimistic. The reason? Because thanks to the latest science, they know without a shadow of a doubt that the risk of all these diseases can be drastically reduced — or even prevented altogether — with just a few easy lifestyle tweaks, like moving more, drinking less and piling your plate with the right foods. Think tweaks as stunningly simple as swapping white rice for brown, drinking a vegie-packed smoothie daily, or getting your zen on (and dialling down your stress levels) with a weekly yoga or tai chi class. So in order to spread that message far and wide, we asked seven of Australia’s most inspiring women: Natalie Barr, Kylie Gillies, Ada Nicodemou, Layne Beachley, Dr Libby Weaver, Tara Moss and Helen Kapalos (and one brave man, Kirk Pengilly) to join us in an Australian first, National Prevention Week, to be held around the country from April 4-10.

The April/May issue of Prevention.

Now, some may have said that getting so many frantically busy professional women (and one of Australia’s biggest rock stars) in the one place, at the one time in a private $22 million home overlooking Sydney Harbour could be a fairly ambitious task.

And it was! But despite having schedules booked up months in advance (literally), when we approached them to be involved, every single one of them went out of their way to help—and they couldn’t have been more generous with their time and support of this potentially life-saving campaign. And as you’ll read in our 17-page feature The Power of Prevention (p.64), it’s because the health causes they’ve chosen to embrace are extremely close to their hearts. Read it and I guarantee you’ll walk away feeling inspired, informed, empowered and 100% more positive about the future.

Over the next few months we’ll bring you even more of this message. The aim? To feel stronger, live longer and create your happiest, healthiest and most fulfilling life, every day.

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I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as the Prevention team did creating it for you. In the meantime, be sure to get in touch via editor@preventionmagazine.com.au or twitter.com/jacquimooney and tell me what you think. I’d really love to hear from you.