Jenna has a Master of Public Health and extensive experience in public health policy and program implementation, focusing on chronic disease prevention. Jenna is passionate about developing and implementing impactful health and social policies, and strongly committed to public health advocacy.
Our history
Since 2007, over 75,000 Victorians have learnt more about the steps they can take to improve their health by participating in the Life! program. Funded by the Victorian Government and managed by Diabetes Victoria, it is the largest prevention program of its kind in Australia.
The program was launched informed by research demonstrating that lifestyle modification can reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Studies and trials include:
- Finnish Prevention Program
- Greater Green Triangle Diabetes Prevention Program (GGT DPP)
- GOAL Lifestyle Implementation Trial
- Victorian Government Department of Health -Healthy Living Course (HLC) randomised controlled trial.
The Life! program is continually evolving to ensure it stays up to date with the latest evidence.
Timeline
2007
- The program officially launches.
2010
- Telephone Health Coaching is introduced to provide participants with flexible and convenient delivery options. This program is delivered one-on-one over the phone.
2012
- The Life! program partners with The Heart Foundation and Stroke Foundation to raise awareness of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke and to optimise program referral pathways.
2016
- Participant eligibility criteria expand to include people 18 + years to target younger populations at risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
2018
- Participants get access to emails and SMS messages covering relevant health topics, to support their learning and engagement between group sessions/calls.
- Life! program group sessions are expanded to include 12-month group sessions and telephone health coach calls.
- The eligibility criteria for Body Mass Index (BMI)for participants who self-identify as being from Asian background is reduced from 24 to 23. This population is at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, at a lower BMI.
2020
- Life! program online group delivery commences due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Online delivery is now part of our ongoing suite of flexible delivery options.
2022
- Life! Online launches. Life! Online is a digital tool that helps people to continue working towards their health goals between sessions/calls. Participants can use Life! Online to set and track their health goals, continue their learning between sessions and connect with other participants through the community forum.
Mission and values of Life! program:
The Life! team works closely with the Victorian community to inform the program and how we deliver it.
Our mission is to reduce people’s risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke by:
- providing resources, education and support with a focus on those at highest risk including people from low socioeconomic areas, rural and regional communities, Aboriginal communities and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.
- raising awareness of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, including risk factors.
- advocating for environments that promote good health and wellbeing.
What sets the Life! program apart?
The Life! program is recognised as:
- the largest prevention program of its kind within Australia.
- evidence-based with proven success in improving health outcomes.
- delivered by accredited health practitioners like dietitians and exercise physiologists.
- supported by the Victorian Government since 2007.
- accessible for all eligible Victorian residents, at no cost.
- providing flexible delivery options.
Life! program results
Annual Life! program evaluations continue to build an understanding of the effectiveness of the Life! program and where there are opportunities to improve.
The key evaluation outcomes are participants’ improvements in behavioural outcomes, physical outcomes, and blood pressure measures. In the most recent program evaluation for the 2022 – 2023 financial year, 78% of Life! participants reported making positive changes to diet, 77.7% reported making positive changes to physical activity and 96.5% rated the program as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. Check out our evaluation findings here.
Success stories
Say hello to Mala, a Life! program participant
“I feel more confident cooking healthy meals and feel so much better eating lighter meals. When I get the chance to exercise, I sleep better at night and overall, I have more energy.”
Check out more participant success stories here.
Our team
Jenna Van Der-Velden
Head of Prevention
Sarah Dubé
Strategy and Engagement Lead
Sarah Dubé holds a Bachelor of Journalism and a Master of Intercultural Communications. She is the Strategy and Engagement Lead of the Life! program at Diabetes Victoria and has led several key projects including digital enhancement innovations such as the development of Life! Online.
Tegan Kohlman
Communications and Social Marketing Officer
Communications and Social Marketing Officer with 7 years experience in communications, content and social media strategy across corporate, not-for-profit and social enterprise.
Emma Goodsell
Digital Marketing Assistant
With over 12 years of experience in marketing and customer experience across various sectors, Emma is passionate about using her skill set to create a difference to the quality of life of others.
Sonja Pluess Barwick
Project Coordinator- Program Development
Sonja has a Graduate Certificate in Public Health. She coordinates the Life! flex pilot program.
Elleni Kaias
Primary Care Engagement Lead
Elleni Kaias holds a Bachelor of Nutrition (Honours) and Master of Dietetic Practice.
Jane Kwon
Senior Project Coordinator
Jane Kwon holds a Master’s degree in Global Public Health Nutrition. She manages the Life! program content review project as the Senior Project Coordinator.
Samantha Thompson
Resource and Administration Officer
Samatha is passionate about helping people Prevent Diabetes and has been providing Administration, support and logistics for all areas of the program.
Khanh Dang
Health Promotion Officer - Vietnamese
Khanh Dang holds a double Bachelor degrees in Arts and Health Sciences, majored in Sociology and Public Health.
Jordan Frigo
Program Facilitator and Health Coach
Jordan is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) with a special interest in the benefits of exercise and lifestyle changes for the reduction of risk and management of cardiometabolic conditions.
Iftu Umar
Program Facilitator and Health Coach
Iftu is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and is experienced in delivering projects in health organisations and with consumers.
Angel Fan
Program Facilitator and Health Coach
Angel is an Accredited Practising Dietitian. She is interested in improving health and reducing risks related to chronic disease via lifestyle changes.
Khurram Abbasi
Salesforce Design and Development Manager
Khurram holds a Master of Information Technology degree with major in IT security. Khurram has over 13 years of experince working in software design and development.
Carli Leishman
Evaluation and Quality Lead
Carli a researcher and evaluator with a Master’s of Social Work, with over 7 years experience in the human services sector. Carli is passionate about health equity in regional communities.
Our editors and reviewers
Editors: Emma Goodsell, Tegan Kohlman and Jo Walsh
Reviewers: Elleni Kaias & Jenna Van Der-Velden
Find us on social media
Have a question or need assistance? Contact us and one of our customer service representatives will get in touch with you.
