The Australia government is investing $23 million in three Victorian health projects that will help prevent chronic diseases and improve health and wellbeing of Australians.

In partnership with the Victorian Government, the preventative health projects aim to tackle chronic disease, obesity and reduce the number of avoidable hospitalisations related to cardiovascular disease.

Enduring Data Linkage Strategy, who will receive $3.5 million, are working on improving outcomes for Victorians with cardiovascular disease by routinely identifying patients who may be at high-risk of hospitalisation or re-hospitalisation.

In addition, $8.5 million will fund a range of initiatives to reduce readmission to hospital including the Health Helper program and the Cardiovascular Ambassadors nurse programme, which together will make sure Australians get the follow up care they need after experiencing heart failure.

$3 million will be invested to rapidly identify unusual patterns of illness that may indicate a risk to public health. The software will be rolled out to emergency departments and other health services across Victoria so an early and appropriate public health response can be deployed.

The Healthy Kids Advisors Initiative will receive $8 million to focus on boosting healthy eating to help prevent obesity and chronic disease. The Initiative supports a dedicated workforce who will work in 13 targeted Local Government Areas to provide hands on support for healthy eating in places where children and families gather.