Suggestions have been tabled which could see governments hacking away at their health budgets and waistlines – with some better planning practices.

A gathering of specialists in Hobart has discussed the political measures which can be undertaken to shift the national approach from reactive healthcare to preventative measures.

Ultimately, the thinking goes, it is cheaper and more beneficial to try to tackle the causes of poor health, rather than the effects.

The meeting has discussed real ways to boost preventative health care through simple lifestyle changes. Some of the shifts can be prompted by governments providing funds for better exercise areas, more walking paths and on-foot access, incentives for departments and businesses which push to help preventative healthcare, and fresh food gardens to promote healthy agriculture and community lifestyles.

The summit was on in Tasmania; the state with the highest mortality rate in the country and among the lowest rates of employment. Sharon Friel from the Australian National University says those two things may be linked, along with low education rates and sparse population.

“You've got beautiful green space in rural areas here in Tasmania, but it's not very easy to just be out and about walking,” she said.

Footpaths, fresh food gardens, friends and relaxation are the prescriptions for good preventative health, the experts say.