05 December 2005

NSW forum on Aboriginal chronic Ccnditions

NSW Minister for Health John Hatzistergos today officially opened the inaugural Aboriginal Chronic Care State Forum and launched a targeted training manual on heart disease.

Mr Hatzistergos said the NSW Government was committed to the specific health needs of the Aboriginal community with $180,000 funding towards the NSW Aboriginal Chronic Care Program.

"The Forum, Walking Together - Forging Partnerships, is an important step towards addressing Aboriginal chronic disease, bringing together health professionals from mainstream and Aboriginal Community Controlled health services all over NSW," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"Aboriginal people continue to have a much higher proportion of chronic conditions and related death rates, directly contributing to the 20 year difference in life expectancy of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people," he said.

"The Know Your Heart training manual is designed by the Chronic Care Program for Aboriginal health workers to provide culturally appropriate heart health education to their communities.

"The Aboriginal Vascular Health Program within the Chronic Care Program has been instrumental in improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people with a chronic disease. The Program has 31 sites across NSW including eight in correctional facilities.

"Leading experts in kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, policy development and health promotion related to Aboriginal health will be presenting at the Forum," Mr Hatzistergos said.

According to the 2004 Chief Health Officer's Report:

• Around 134,888 Indigenous people live in NSW, just over 2 per cent of the population.
• In 1999-2001, newborn Indigenous males in NSW could expect to live 57 years, and newborn Indigenous females could expect to live 64 years, about 20 years less than the life expectancy for the general population.
• Indigenous people are more likely to die younger. People less than 25 years make up around 11 per cent of deaths of Indigenous people, compared with 1 per cent of non-Indigenous people. Deaths among people 65 years and over comprise around 37 per cent of Indigenous deaths, compared with 80 per cent non-Indigenous.
• Indigenous people have higher smoking rates than non-Indigenous people and are more likely to report drinking alcohol at levels that are risky for health.
• Indigenous people have higher hospitalisation rates than non-Indigenous people for many health conditions. Compared with non-Indigenous people, Indigenous people in NSW:
  • are twice as likely to be hospitalised for heart disease and stroke;
  • are 4 to 5 times more likely to be hospitalised for diabetes;
  • are 3 to 5 times more likely to be hospitalised for chronic respiratory diseases;
  • are more likely to be hospitalised as children for middle ear infections.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au