Rising to the health challenge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: what will it take?

Rising to the health challenge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: what will it take? Journal Article

Medical Journal of Australia

• Author(s): Wenitong, M, Councillor, H, Delaney Thiele, D , Calma, T
• Published: 2007
• Volume: 186

Link to resource Report broken link

Abstract: May 2007 is the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, when an overwhelming majority of the Australian population voted to end discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.1 While some gains have been made since 1967,2 inequalities in health status between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians remain. In the Medical Journal of Australia alone, medical and health professionals have contributed to over 150 articles about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in the past 6 years. All levels of government have set out frameworks, strategies and recommendations to improve the health of Indigenous Australians, and have celebrated their commitments.3 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and representative organisations have supported exemplary health programs and shared these success stories in the hope of having their capacity enhanced to better provide for their community’s health needs.4-6 The research has been done,7 so why are governments not acting on their own recommendations?

• Urls: https://www.mja.com.au/system/files/issues/186_10_210507/wen10402_fm.pdf Available from , http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/186_10_210507/wen10402_fm.html