Australia - Putting aboriginal health in the spotlight

Citation

(2013), "Australia - Putting aboriginal health in the spotlight", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 26 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2013.06226caa.005

Australia - Putting aboriginal health in the spotlight

Article Type: News and views From: International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Volume 26, Issue 3

Keywords: Health outcomes of aboriginal people, Healthcare improvement for minority groups, Healthcare improvement strategies

New South Wales’ (NSW) first special report of the Chief Health Officer to focus on the health of Aboriginal people in NSW has been released.

The Health of Aboriginal People of NSW: Report of the Chief Health Officer presents population health and health service delivery data in the areas of life expectancy and child mortality, mothers, babies and child health, risk and protective factors for health, burden of ill-health and health service delivery.

NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant said NSW Health is committed to closing the gap in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

“There is a large disparity in life expectancy and the burden of disease is higher in Aboriginal people particularly in preventable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, mental health conditions, chronic respiratory disease and cancer,” Dr Chant said.

“Improving the health of Aboriginal people is an important goal and this report presents an opportunity to reflect on how we can improve health policy and service provision for Aboriginal people in NSW.”

“The NSW Ministry of Health, Local Health Districts, and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector supported by the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW are already undertaking a range of programs to improve health service delivery and health outcomes for Aboriginal people including maternal and infant health services, mental health, chronic care enhancement programs and oral health programs,” Dr Chant added.

The report found a significant increase in the proportion of Aboriginal mothers attending antenatal care before 14 weeks gestation over the past ten years, from 64 percent in 2001 to 80 percent in 2010, as well as a decrease in the proportion of babies born to Aboriginal mothers who are of low birth weight.

“Programs such as the Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service have shown to be successful in improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people and their families,” Dr Chant said.

“I will be encouraging health staff to use this Report in their planning processes to ensure all services and programs contribute towards improving the health of Aboriginal people in NSW.”

The Health of Aboriginal People of NSW: Report of the Chief Health Officer was launched in tandem with The NSW Aboriginal health Plan 2013-2023, a ten year plan which will guide the efforts of NSW Health to improve health services and health outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW.

For more information: www.health.nsw.gov.au