EmailHospital Circular 12/2004
Date Issued: 3 May 2004
Distribution: Public Hospitals, Private Hospitals
Subject: Recording of Aboriginal status on death certificates
Purpose: To advise all public and private hospitals of the need to record Aboriginal status on death certificates.
Deaths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria occur at much earlier ages than those of the non-Aboriginal Victorian population. The life expectancy for Aboriginal men is calculated at 57 years and for Aboriginal women at 64 years, while non-Aboriginal life expectancy is 77 years for men and 82 years for women. The causes of death for Aboriginal people also differ from those of non-Aboriginal people.
In Victoria deaths of Aboriginal people are recorded by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. This information is then used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to calculate age and cause of deaths and life expectancy. However it is estimated that less than half of the deaths of Aboriginal persons in Victoria are registered as Aboriginal deaths. This means that subsequent calculations are based on a small sample of deaths.
For the purpose of recording deaths as Aboriginal, the Registry has recently agreed to accept Aboriginal status as described on death certificates completed by medical practitioners. Previously Aboriginal status was recorded only from the Death Registration Statement generally completed by funeral directors.
Medical practitioners completing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death are asked to respond to the question about the Aboriginal origin of the deceased “Was the deceased of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?”
Peter Allen
Under Secretary
Policy and Strategic Projects
