News Corp Australia has launched the third year of its Health of the Nation campaign, locking in Woolworths as the presenting partner for a third consecutive year and welcoming Anytime Fitness as a new supporting partner.
Running for four weeks, the editorial campaign is designed to drive healthier habits among Australians, while offering advertisers a data-led platform anchored in one of the country’s most engaged lifestyle categories.
Championed by Body+Soul alongside news.com.au, Health of the Nation is underpinned by new research from News Corp Australia’s Growth Intelligence Centre, surveying more than 3,000 Australians.
The findings point to a clear shift in consumer priorities for 2026, with happiness again ranking as the top well-being goal. Close behind is healthy ageing, which has climbed to second place ahead of weight management, mental health and appearance.
Longevity now sits among the top five motivations for Australians to eat well and stay active, with 45 per cent saying healthy ageing is the reason they are drinking less alcohol.
Functional nutrition is also gaining ground, with 68 per cent of respondents saying they eat with at least one health goal in mind, including gut health, energy, immunity or mental wellbeing.
Diet motivations are becoming more holistic, with healthy ageing, hormone balance and mental focus all ranking ahead of traditional dieting goals.
Jacqui Mooney
Editorial scale, led by Body+Soul
Body+Soul content director Jacqui Mooney said the campaign reflects how Australians are redefining health beyond short-term fixes.
“As a brand, Body+Soul cares deeply about creating content that will shape a healthier Australia,” Mooney said.
“This year’s comprehensive Health of the Nation report reveals some of the biggest shifts in the country’s physical and mental wellbeing, along with the trends making major waves, from the rise of functional eating and ongoing demand for strength training to longevity as a primary health goal.
“These insights have allowed our editorial team to hone in on what matters most, delivering practical ways to help Australians feel fitter, stronger and happier long-term. Over the next four weeks and beyond, we’ll roll out tips, tools and techniques from leading experts across Body+Soul’s print, digital, social and video channels to make 2026 our audience’s healthiest year yet.”
The series will be delivered through written, video and interactive storytelling, with a focus on demographic insights that help audiences better understand their own health profiles.
Brand partners lean into longevity
Woolworths returns to the campaign for a third year, reinforcing its position at the intersection of health, price and everyday accessibility.
“We know that health is a priority for our customers, alongside price and quality,” said Woolworths Retail managing director Annette Karantoni.
“Australians want access to simple, affordable and healthier options. Beyond the fantastic fresh food produced by farmers across the country, we also work with many other suppliers – focusing on great new product innovation, to bring healthier options to our supermarket shelves at great prices.
“Our commitment to helping Australians live healthier lives is exactly what Health of the Nation is all about, and we’re proud to again be supporting this important campaign.”
Anytime Fitness joins the initiative for the first time, aligning the brand with a broader national conversation about fitness, nutrition and mental wellbeing.
“As Australia’s largest gym network, we see first-hand how health, fitness, nutrition and mental wellbeing are interconnected,” said Anytime Fitness chief brand and marketing officer Caitlin Bancroft.
“Working with Body+Soul on this year’s campaign is a natural fit for Anytime Fitness, and we’re proud to support a national conversation driving stronger, healthier outcomes across Australia.”
The Health of the Nation campaign will run across healthofthenation.com.au, Body+Soul and news.com.au, with print placements in The Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Herald Sun, The Sunday Mail (Queensland and South Australia) and Sunday Tasmanian.
A supporting consumer marketing campaign will roll out across digital, print, video, and social media, reinforcing the initiative’s national reach.