Since colonisation, Aboriginal people have suffered from extremely poor health.
Australia’s federal, state and local governments have attempted to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people but the major problem has been a failure to implement key strategic documents including the National Aboriginal Health Strategy.
There have not been sufficient resources or partnerships made between governments and the Aboriginal community sector to make the necessary changes.
As a consequence – in spite of some significant health gains – the life expectancy and overall health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people compared with non-Aboriginal people remains unacceptable for a wealthy, first-world nation.
The social gradients evident in early childhood and educational outcomes, housing, income and employment, access to justice and empowerment are directly linked to the continuing poor health outcomes for Aboriginal people in Central Australia.
For more than 40 years, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress has provided primary health care services including advocacy for Aboriginal people in the struggle for justice and equity.
Further Information
Useful Links
- Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT)
- National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
- Australian Indigenous Health Info Net
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
- Close the Gap Campaign
- Tackling Chronic Disease Indigenous Australians’ Health Program (IAHP)