Issue

Indigenous health

Though they live in one of the world’s wealthiest nations, the health of Indigenous Australians is among the worst in the world.

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Submitted by: Rachel | 15 comments  VIEW COMMENTS

The facts

When it comes to researching Indigenous health in Australia, accurate statistics are hard to find. Facts and figures are sometimes muddled, and census data lost. However, experts agree that there is a health crisis for Indigenous Australians of all ages. To gain a better idea of the state of Indigenous health, here are a few statistics.
  • The average life expectancy for Indigenous men and women is 17 years less than non-Indigenous; 59 years for Indigenous men and 65 years of Indigenous women.
  • Indigenous death rates are likely to be four times higher than those of non-Indigenous people.
  • Infant mortality is 2.5 times higher in Indigenous communities than non-Indigenous.
  • The number of Indigenous people who die from diabetes each year is 25 times the number of non-Indigenous.

Why is Indigenous health so bad?

Good health is more expensive than you’d think. No matter what your background, poor health is the result of the same social factors. An estimated 30% of Indigenous households are in income poverty. This means that nutritious foods and good health care are not easily accessible.

Living conditions can also be much harsher for people who live in income poverty. Many Indigenous Australians—especially those who live in the Northern Territory—live in remote areas and don’t have reliable water or electricity sources. In a 1999 survey, only 13% of NT Indigenous homes had functioning water, waste, cooking and cleaning facilities. In such remote areas, it’s also harder to access health care services, such as doctors.

Such poor living conditions can also cause high stress and thus poor mental health for people who live in them.

How do I know this?

Health InfoNet 2005, Summary of Australian Indigenous health, November, http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/frames.htm

New South Wales Department of Aboriginal Affairs and NSW Reconciliation Council, Background briefing: Indigenous health.

ANTaR 2004, Healing Hands: Indigenous health rights action kit, 2nd Edition.

The Fred Hollows Foundation, Indigenous health in Australia,
Discuss Now 15 comments View all 1 2 3

misha 11-Mar-2008

On a related topic: Annually for the past decade, a festival called Crocfests, which celebrates Indigenous and Non-Indigenous culture, has been held around rural Australia for children and young people. There is a strong focus on health, careers, music, art, and sport.

This year the festival has been cancelled due to a cut in federal government funding. The recent public apology seems to conflict with what Crocfest is about. Although the apology is a positive step at a government level, if funding is cut for grassroots initiatives that empower people, what will happen?

From my experience at Crocfest, it was inspiring to be part of Indigenous kids learning about health in an environment that supports positive feelings of being Aboriginal. These things can be harmonious. Provided there's support for it to happen!!
http://www.barrierminer.com.au/article.php?article=1598

misha 11-Mar-2008

On a related topic: Annually for the past decade, a festival called Crocfests, which celebrates Indigenous and Non-Indigenous culture, has been held around rural Australia for children and young people. There is a strong focus on health, careers, music, art, and sport.

This year the festival has been cancelled due to a cut in federal government funding. The recent public apology seems to conflict with what Crocfest is about. Although the apology is a positive step at a government level, if funding is cut for grassroots initiatives that empower people, what will happen?

From my experience at Crocfest, it was inspiring to be part of Indigenous kids learning about health in an environment that supports positive feelings of being Aboriginal. These things can be harmonious. Provided there's support for it to happen!!
http://www.barrierminer.com.au/article.php?article=1598

adrienne 13-Dec-2007

without a doubt the indigenous community in Australia are marginalised. they suffer from lack of health care benefits. It is necessary for Aboriginal health care to be looked at more closely, in order to weigh out the imbalance of health care for aboriginals and the rest of Australia.

Kelly Simpson 13-Dec-2007

Funnelweb, it is very easy to say that 'we all have access to schools, universities, hospitals' but it is quite another to live in that reality.

There is a huge discrepancy between city and rural health and you can hardly argue that rural towns have the same access to 'schools, universities, hospitals' that cities do. There is an average of one doctor per thousand citizens in rural Australia. Clearly there are resource imbalances that must be fixed before we can start claiming that everybody has the same chances in life.

Jeno! 28-Aug-2007

I have learnt alot about Indigenous health both at school and uni, and its just appauling that there can be such vast differences in the quality and amount of health care services, within one country.

These conditions should not be seen in the developed world, especially when so many Australian's live in such luxury...