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The gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is one of the most significant health problems confronting Australia today.There is a much higher prevalence among Indigenous Australians of a range of chronic and communicable diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, kidney disease, cancer, respiratory disorders, eye and ear diseases, and social and emotional health problems. Most of these conditions are preventable and in many cases start in childhood.These conditions contribute to Indigenous Australians dying at a much earlier age on average than non-Indigenous Australians.

There is limited availability of a health and medical workforce for culturally appropriate primary care services in both urban and remote contexts, which means Indigenous Australians have a low level of access to appropriate primary health care.

This is compounded by a range of social, environmental and economic factors, which act to entrench health-related problems among Indigenous people.

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Indigenous Australians must have ready access to appropriate health and medical care to address their increased level of need. How health and medical services are provided is important to whether, and how frequently, Indigenous people can access health care. Cultural appropriateness of health and medical services is a critical access factor. The availability of culturally appropriate services is limited. This is true for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, which are limited in number and distribution. It is also true for the mainstream health service system, where there is generally a low level of cultural awareness.

With the right support and access to appropriate health care, Indigenous people have the capacity to develop practical solutions and preventative approaches to the health-related problems in their communities. It is essential to engage Indigenous people in their own health care solutions.

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The unacceptable health outcomes experienced by Indigenous people and their low access to appropriate health services are entrenched problems that require a long-term commitment and a comprehensive strategic plan from the next Government.

The next Government also needs to urgently work in partnership with Indigenous people and their representative organisations.

Its actions must build the capacity of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, which deliver culturally appropriate services. There must also be a focus on enhancing the effectiveness of the mainstream health system in providing culturally appropriate services.

It is often more effective for Government bureaucracies to stand aside and allow nongovernment organisations and community groups to work at ground level to help build the capacity of Indigenous people and communities to develop and implement local solutions to local problems.

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The next Government must develop and implement in partnership with Indigenous people a long-term national strategic plan with tangible intermediate goals. That plan should include:

• Additional grants to enhance infrastructure and services to allow Aboriginal Medical Services to:
  • Offer mentoring and training in Indigenous health in Indigenous communities to Indigenous and non-Indigenous medical students and vocational trainees, and
  • Offer salary and conditions for doctors working in Aboriginal Medical Services that are comparable to those of State salaried doctors;
• Measures to enhance access to secondary and tertiary health services, especially specialist medical services;
• An investment in a network of Centres of Excellence in Indigenous Health across Australia (such as the Inala Community Health Centre in Brisbane) to act as training and research hubs in Indigenous health, and to build and spread best practice in Indigenous health care;
• New funding over 10 years in grants to NGOs and community groups for health-related capacity building in Indigenous communities throughout Australia; and
• Measures to urgently address all of the social determinants of health.

* For a full pdf version of the Key Health Issues for the 2010 Federal Election click here