Healthy Choices Program

What is the Healthy Choices program?

Healthy Choices is a free, evidence-based program for South Australians living with or at risk of developing a chronic health condition. The program aims to support and help individuals make health and lifestyle choices that helps them manage their condition and live a healthier life. The program is 12 weekly sessions with health coaches, and 1 to 3 monthly follow up sessions to help you stay on track with your healthy choices.

(The original UniSA research study funded by the Medical Research Futures Fund has now closed)

Am I eligible for the Healthy Choices program?

Healthy Choices is available to adults (18+ years) who have been diagnosed with a chronic health condition or are at risk of developing a chronic health condition.

Chronic conditions include diabetes I or II; respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD; cardiovascular conditions such as coronary heart disease or peripheral arterial disease; kidney disease; chronic mental health conditions; chronic joint or muscle conditions; chronic pain; and cancer survivors.

Risk factors for chronic health conditions include being overweight (body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above), high blood pressure or high cholesterol requiring medical treatment, pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

People who live in metropolitan or regional areas are eligible for Healthy Choices.

Where is the Healthy Choices program held?

In-person sessions are available in metropolitan Adelaide and Elizabeth.

Telehealth sessions are available online via video link or over the phone for people in metropolitan or regional areas .  

When can I attend Healthy Choices sessions?

We currently offer sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 8.30am and 5.00pm. We book your sessions for the same time each week of the program.

How can I get started?

Phone 0421 694 945 to speak to a member of the Healthy Choices team, or email healthychoices@unisa.edu.au.

When can I get started?

There are start dates for the program scheduled throughout 2026. The first program will be starting in Feburary 2026. Contact the Healthy Choices team to check when you can get started. No matter when you start, it will be the same program aimed at helping you to improve your health. It is worth the wait!

What will my first session be like?

You will talk with your health coaches about you and your health, and what changes you want to make. We allocate up to 1 hour for this session to thoroughly understand you and your health goals.

What do I need to bring to the first session?

Ideas about what changes you want to make to improve your health and wellbeing.

What changes can I make with Healthy Choices?

Examples of changes in lifestyle that people have already achieved with Healthy Choices include starting a new exercise class, reducing snacking after dinner, drinking more water, improving sleep habits, increasing walking distance, and makign new social connections.

Your health coaches will work with you to decide and achieve your goals during the program.

What will my other sessions be like?

Each of your follow-up sessions will be with the same health coaches. They will work with you to keep you motivated, help you make progress towards your goals, and overcome any barriers along the way. Each session will last up to 45 minutes.

Can I bring a friend or relative to the sessions with me?

Yes; friends or relatives can be an important support to keep you motivated and on track with your goals. You are also welcome to attend sessions by yourself.

What will I pay to attend Healthy Choices?

All Healthy Choices sessions are free.

There may be some additional costs to access the sessions that will vary for each person. For example, if you attend sessions in-person, you will need to arrange your own transport such as a car or bus.

How will Healthy Choices benefit me?

Participating in Healthy Choices has a lot of benefits, including:  

• Your Healthy Choices program is tailored to you and what you want to change to improve your health.
• Your dedicated health coaches will keep you motivated and on track to your goals. They will use specialised skills such as motivational interviewing and care navigation to help you learn skills in how to manage your health condition.
• You will have access to resources, activities and information that you can practise in your own time and space.
• After the program has finished, you will have gained the strategies, knowledge and confidence to keep working on your health goals.

Is the Healthy Choices approach based on evidence?

Yes. Healthy Choices is the product of a 5-year UniSA research study funded by the Medical Research Futures Fund to understand if a health coaching service provided in partnership with undergraduate health students is a feasible and effective way to improve the health of people with chronic conditions. 

There is a lot of evidence from previous research that making changes in your lifestyle can improve your health when living with a chronic condition, as well as improve how you feel about yourself and your health. The skills used by the Healthy Choices team during your sessions are also based on evidence and are promoted by respected health agencies including the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Who else benefits from me attending Healthy Choices?

Your involvement in the program will help to train future generations of health professionals.

Will my personal information be kept confidential?

Yes. We comply with Australia’s privacy laws. During the program, your personal information will only be known by your health coaches and clinic staff. 

Why is Adelaide University offering a Healthy Choices program?

Adelaide University aims to be a visible cornerstone in the communities that we serve – partnering, sharing and supporting groups,
organisations and initiatives that align with our ambition to create a better Australia through new approaches to tertiary education,
global research and innovation. Through collaboration and outreach such as the Healthy Choices program, we seek to actively contribute to community needs to empower, shape and grow a vibrant society

How will my client benefit from attending Healthy Choices?

Healthy Choices is tailored to health and lifestyle choices that your clients want to change, but may lack motivation or strategies to be successful. This can be a change based on your recommendations, or a change they are interested in pursuing.

Examples of changes people have already achieved with Healthy Choices include starting a new exercise class, reducing snacking after dinner, drinking more water, improving sleep habits, increasing walking distance, and making new social connections.

Healthy Choices will help your clients kickstart their health goals. The health coaches have the time and skills to keep your clients motivated and on track to their goals over a 12-week program. The Healthy Choices program uses specialised skills in motivational interviewing, education, care navigation and social prescription to support your clients to make changes that can benefit their health. 

At the end of the program, they will have the strategies, knowledge, and confidence to keep working towards their health goal independently. We also offer 1 to 3 monthly follow up sessions to support clients staying on track.

Who can I refer to Healthy Choices?

Healthy Choices is available to adults (18+ years) who have been diagnosed with a chronic health condition or is at risk of developing a chronic health condition.

Chronic conditions include diabetes I or II; respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD; cardiovascular conditions such as coronary heart disease or peripheral arterial disease; kidney disease; chronic mental health conditions; chronic joint or muscle conditions; chronic pain; and cancer survivors.

Risk factors for chronic health conditions include being overweight (body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above), high blood pressure or high cholesterol requiring medical treatment, pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

How can I refer a client to Healthy Choices?

Send the name of your client and preferred contact details to healthychoices@unisa.edu.au. We will contact them to answer any questions they have and book them in to get started.

Why is Adelaide University offering a Healthy Choices program?

Adelaide University aims to be a visible cornerstone in the communities that we serve – partnering, sharing and supporting groups,
organisations and initiatives that align with our ambition to create a better Australia through new approaches to tertiary education,
global research and innovation. Through collaboration and outreach such as the Healthy Choices program, we seek to actively contribute to community needs to empower, shape and grow a vibrant society.

Healthy Choices is the product of a 5-year UniSA research study funded by the Medical Research Futures Fund to understand if a health coaching service provided in partnership with undergraduate health students is a feasible and effective way to improve the health of people with chronic conditions.