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April 2008 - Indigenous Health Equality Summit: Statement of Intent |
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Indigenous health in crisis
On Thursday 20 March 2008, community, government and Indigenous representatives met at Parliament House to sign a declaration on the achievement of health equality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation. The signing was attended by over 100 experts in the health field.
The declaration, or Statement of Intent, formalises the Australian government's promises to commit to the cause of health equality, an issue that the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) has been trying to get the government to recognise since 2005.
The Indigenous Health Equality Summit Statement of Intent is available to view online.
Support from communities and organisations
Organisations such as the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association (AIDA) have applauded Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's focus on Indigenous health, and state that these recent developments are positive steps that reflect the government's commitment to health equality for Indigenous Australians.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma said:
'This partnership between the Australian government, Indigenous and non-Indigenous health experts and the reconciliation movement, means we are well on the road to making health equality a reality for Indigenous Australians by 2030.'
Closing the gap
A fundamental issue in achieving health equality is reducing the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Strategies for achieving this were raised at the signing by the Close the Gap coalition, who are dedicated to solving the Indigenous health crisis.
The recently held Indigenous Health Equity Summit also focused on raising the standards of health of Indigenous Australians.
Dr Mick Adams, National Chair of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), stated:
'We welcome the commitment to ensuring that by 2018 there are primary health care services and health infrastructure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples which are capable of bridging the gap in health standards.'
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Further reading
View these related items on the Early Childhood Australia website:
Related resources on the Early Childhood Australia website:
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 April 2008 )
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