INTRO
Improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal communities across the state is firmly on the NSW Government agenda.
In partnership with the NACCHO affiliate Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW, the NSW Government has developed this ten-year Aboriginal Health Plan.
The Plan is an acknowledgement of the significant health disparities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in NSW and reflects the NSW Government’s commitment to closing this gap.
Press release
The NSW Government will overhaul the way Aboriginal health care is delivered through a 10-year plan to improve health services and outcomes for the state’s Aboriginal people.
The Minister for Healthy Lifestyles and Western New South Wales, Kevin Humphries, will today launch the plan which outlines a vision ,goal and strategic direction for the state’s health system to meet the challenge of closing the Gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal People
Download here: NSW Aboriginal Health Plan 2013-2023,
“Through this plan we will reform the way Aboriginal health services are delivered to Aboriginal people and ensure services meet the needs of local communities,” Mr Humphries said.
“The unacceptable disparities in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in NSW have been well documented over many years.
“Governments of all political persuasions and at all levels have spent considerable time, resources and money in reducing the mortality and morbidity gap, but major differences in health outcomes remain.
“We have made a commitment to try a different approach to turn around the inequality in health outcomes, which will see us make long overdue changes in the way that mainstream services work with Aboriginal people.
“This plan recognises the importance of this approach and provides an outline for system-wide reform and increased support for local health care workers to help implement changes that will make a real difference to the lives of the state’s Aboriginal people.”
“Implementing this plan and achieving its vision will involve all parts of the health system in NSW,” Mrs Skinner said. “We all have a role to play in improving Aboriginal health and ensuring the well-being of generations to come.”
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Victor Dominello, said the plan was an important step towards a healthier outlook for the state’s Aboriginal communities.
“The hard work will begin now as we work across Government and the health system to implement the plan and reform the way in which health care is provided to Aboriginal people in NSW,” Mr Dominello said.
“This will include the NSW Government working more closely with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and with Aboriginal people and communities.”
Chair of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC), Christine Corby OAM, welcomed the NSW Government’s new direction for healthcare for Aboriginal people.
“The AH&MRC commends the NSW Government for its commitment to improving Aboriginal health, which it has demonstrated by developing the
Miss Corby said “As the peak representative body for the state’s Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, we believe the Plan marks a significant step in the long journey to improve the health of Aboriginal people in NSW.
“Developed in close partnership with Aboriginal organisations and communities, the Plan represents a significant advance in the Government’s approach to meeting its responsibilities to the Aboriginal people of NSW, and the AH&MRC is hopeful that it will enable the knowledge and expertise of the Aboriginal community to guide the health system at every level.
“The AH&MRC looks forward to continuing to work together in partnership with NSW Government to achieve this shared vision of improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people throughout the state.”
The report shows improvements in Aboriginal health in the past 10 years including:
Decreased infant mortality rates and a narrowing of the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal rates;
Decreased rates for avoidable mortality in Aboriginal males;
Decreased proportion of babies born to Aboriginal mothers who are of low birth-weight ;
Decreased smoking rates among Aboriginal people, including a decrease in the proportion of Aboriginal women who reported smoking during pregnancy.
NSW’s first special report of the Chief Health Officer to focus on the health of Aboriginal people in NSW was released today.
The health of Aboriginal People of NSW: Report of the Chief Health Officer presents population health and health service delivery data in the areas of life expectancy and child mortality, mothers, babies and child health, risk and protective factors for health, burden of ill-health and health service delivery.
NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant said NSW Health is committed to closing the gap in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
“There is a large disparity in life expectancy and the burden of disease is higher in Aboriginal people particularly in preventable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, mental health conditions, chronic respiratory disease and cancer,” Dr Chant said.
“Improving the health of Aboriginal people is an important goal and this report presents an opportunity to reflect on how we can improve health policy and service provision for Aboriginal people in NSW.”
“The NSW Ministry of Health, Local Health Districts, and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector supported by the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW are already undertaking a range of programs to improve health service delivery and health outcomes for Aboriginal people including maternal and infant health services, mental health, chronic care enhancement programs and oral health programs,” Dr Chant added.
The report found a significant increase in the proportion of Aboriginal mothers attending antenatal care before 14 weeks’ gestation over the past 10 years, from 64% in 2001 to 80% in 2010, as well as a decrease in the proportion of babies born to Aboriginal mothers who are of low birth weight.
“Programs such as the Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service have shown to be successful in improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people and their families, “Dr Chant said.
“I will be encouraging health staff to use this Report in their planning processes to ensure all services and programs contribute towards improving the health of Aboriginal people in NSW.”
The health of Aboriginal People of NSW: Report of the Chief Health Officer was launched in tandem with The NSW Aboriginal health Plan 2013-2023, a ten year plan which will guide the efforts of NSW Health to improve health services and health outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW.
To read the Health of Aboriginal people of NSW: Report of the Chief Health Officer and the NSW Aboriginal health Plan 2013-2023, visit http://www.health.nsw.gov.au