Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

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Content last updated 17/11/2021

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Health

Gold Coast Primary Health Network acknowledges the importance of reconciliation in building one world class health system for the families of the Yugambeh Language Region of South East Queensland. We aim to embed cultural understanding into our internal and external activities, striving for equal health, social and emotional wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a culturally informed, welcoming and proud environment.

The resources on this page aim to assist with providing resources and information, including the services available for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Peoples in the GCPHN region.

GCPHN Funded Services

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing
Gold Coast Health services, programs and models of care

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing
Closing the Gap

National Agreement on Closing the Gap
Resources and Tools

Suicide Prevention

Resources

Chronic Disease Management
https://gcphn.org.au/community/health-resources-for-community/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-health/#chronic-disease-management Copied to clipboard
Health Checks
https://gcphn.org.au/community/health-resources-for-community/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-health/#health-checks Copied to clipboard
Advance Care Planning
https://gcphn.org.au/community/health-resources-for-community/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-health/#advance-care-planning Copied to clipboard
Closing the Gap
https://gcphn.org.au/community/health-resources-for-community/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-health/#closing-the-gap Copied to clipboard

National Close the Gap Day in Australia

National Close the Gap Day (NCTGD) is an annual awareness event that aims to close the health and life expectancy gap between the indigenous and the non-indigenous communities in Australia.

NCTGD is usually held on the third Thursday in March. It was first observed in 2007 as a joint venture between Australia’s top public and health organisations. Olympic sprinter Cathy Freeman and swimmer Ian Thorpe launched the campaign from the Olympic Stadium in Sydney.

Unequal health outcomes

The campaign was a response to the poor health outcomes among indigenous groups in Australia. Studies have shown that the life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is 10-17 years lower than that of non-Indigenous Australians.

The main aim of National Close the Gap Day is to make people from both indigenous and non-indigenous backgrounds aware of this problem and work towards finding ways to solve it.

A human rights issue

High life expectancy is not just a health issue, but it is also a human rights issue. Poverty, education, and employment levels all have a long-lasting impact on the health of a community. The Close the Gap campaign recognises this and emphasises that closing the gap in early childhood development, schooling, housing, and employment is the key to also closing the health gap.

What happens on National Close the Gap Day

National Close the Gap Day is not an official holiday, so businesses, schools, and government offices are open. Community health groups, educators, medical professionals, and policy-makers organise outreach drives, conferences, and workshops to bring attention to the problem of low life expectancy among indigenous groups.