Heart Foundation & TAL Renew Partnership to Target Heart Disease Myths in Young Australians
The Heart Foundation and Australian life insurer TAL have renewed their partnership for a second year, launching a campaign squarely aimed at Australians aged 18 to 34. The initiative targets common misconceptions about heart disease and promotes the importance of early prevention.
Survey Findings: The Knowledge Gap
Data from the Heart Foundation's 2025 State of the Heart survey revealed several key misconceptions held by young Australians:
37% of people aged 18 to 34 believe they would feel warning signs if they had high blood pressure, though the condition often has no symptoms.
22% of younger adults believe they are too young to worry about heart disease, despite evidence that the disease can begin developing during the teenage years.
25% of younger Australians believe heart disease mostly affects men, whereas women account for nearly half of cardiovascular deaths.
11% of younger adults believe that family history means they cannot reduce their risk of heart disease.
Expert Statements
Dr. Dannii Dougherty, Head of Clinical Evidence at the Heart Foundation, stated that young people face significant challenges in distinguishing reliable health information from misinformation. The renewed partnership aims to provide clear, evidence-based guidance to this demographic.
Dr. Priya Chagan, General Manager Health Services at TAL, noted that heart disease is a leading cause of life insurance claims at TAL, including among younger customers. She emphasized that small, consistent lifestyle choices can have a major impact on long-term health.
Risk Factors and Prevention
Heart disease can begin developing as early as the teenage years. The campaign highlights two categories of risk factors:
- Fixed risk factors: age, sex, ethnicity, and family history
- Modifiable risk factors that can be addressed through lifestyle choices include: physical activity, smoking, vaping, stress management, blood pressure, and cholesterol
Partnership Context
The campaign is part of TAL's three-year strategic partnership with the Heart Foundation, operating under TAL's Health for Life program. The partnership funds preventative programs, medical research, and support for heart disease patients.
This year's focus includes collaborative content aimed specifically at correcting myths among younger audiences.