Indigenous Health Public Report Card - 'No More Excuses'

Dr Phelps said the report card shows that, overall, Australia has failed to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

"The gap between the health of Australia's Indigenous population and the rest of Australia is wide and continuing," Dr Phelps said.

"This is illustrated most starkly by the statistics on infant mortality, life expectancy and median age of death.

"Australian Indigenous infants die at 21/2 times the rate that of other infants and, at birth, Indigenous Australians can expect to live approximately 20 years less than other Australians.

"The median age at death is 53 years, compared with 78 years for other Australians.

Dr Phelps said there has been some progress in specific regional programs, but this has not changed overall health outcomes. Overall, Australia rates poorly with achievements in Canada, the US and New Zealand.

"The international progress shows what is achievable," Dr Phelps said.

"The health statistics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are bad, but the reality is far worse.

"There is poor access to crucial primary health care services, and many communities still have no clean water, sanitation and electricity. This is a national scandal," Dr Phelps said.

The report shows that while there has been an increase in funding it has not been enough to meet need.

Given the burden of disease in the Indigenous population, it is estimated the amount of funding required for Indigenous health has to be almost double that spent on the rest of the Australian population.

To enable real improvement in the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the AMA is calling for:

• A major increase of an additional $245 million funding per annum, phased in over 5 years, to boost primary health care services accessible by all communities
• Expansion of community controlled Aboriginal Medical Services so that communities can shape their own health care
• A commitment for all communities to have basic amenities like clean water, sanitation and electricity within 12 months
• Faster progress in ensuring the Primary Health Care Access Program is an effective, fully funded and functioning national program
• A fully resourced and targeted National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy, with a National Training Plan to produce the health workers required
• Accelerated progress in overcoming inequity in educational outcomes
• A greater commitment to social justice and reconciliation, in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

"Progress is achievable. It is unacceptable for a modern wealthy country like Australia to lag behind other like nations.

"The AMA is committed to work with Government to make things happen."

The AMA continues to work closely with NACCHO and the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association to achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

"There are no more excuses," Dr Phelps said.

The Indigenous Health Public Report is available in the attached PDF file.

CONTACT: Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076