The National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health:
Framework for Action by Governments

Overview

Australians in general are one of the healthiest populations of any developed country and have access to a world-class health system. Indigenous Australians in general are the least healthy of all Indigenous populations within comparable developed countries and have a significantly lower level of access to appropriate health care than non-Indigenous Australians.

The health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is well documented. The statistics are harrowing with the life expectancy of Indigenous Australians around 20 years less than non-Indigenous people and death rates between two and four times higher. Key social or economic indicators such as poverty, employment, housing, education, incarceration and health show that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are at higher risk of disadvantage compared with non-Indigenous Australians. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health representatives and individual community members can relate local human experiences to support these statistics and indicators.

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Available from the NATSIHC website.