Skip to content
Indigenous, Medical Health Aged Care

Healthcare equity is one step to Close the Gap for rural First Nations people

National Rural Health Alliance 2 mins read

The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) calls on governments and health entities to commit to the recommendations of the Close the Gap Campaign Report 2024 to ensure that we, as a nation, realise true health equity for Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 

“The Alliance takes a stand with Close the Gap in its call to fully implement the 2021–2031 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan and other supporting plans under First Nations’ leadership to ensure that we close the gap in health,” said the Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen.

 

Achieving healthcare equity for First Nations people, especially for the almost 61 per cent living in rural, regional, and remote areas, must be a priority, given the stark disparities in health compared to non-Indigenous populations and, those who live in metropolitan areas.

 

A significant gap exists in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians – 6.8 years for males and 6.5 years for females in rural areas. This gap grows even bigger as remoteness increases – to 12.4 years for both males and females.

 

“Addressing health workforce shortages in rural areas is one step towards Closing the Gap as First Nations peoples continue to face issues in accessing equitable and culturally safe health care. As such, the Alliance supports the Close the Gap Report’s recommendation to invest in the development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce, as outlined in the Health Plan, and create a culturally safe Australian healthcare system that is responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” said Ms Tegen.

 

“We strongly believe that rural workforce training and leadership development programs should support First Nations people living in rural, remote, and regional Australia and ensure there are culturally safe and appropriate healthcare services available. Therefore, we urge the government to invest in expanding opportunities for First Nations people to be embedded in the leadership and governance of the Health Plan.  

 

“Additionally, rural First Nations people are challenged by natural disasters throughout the year and feel a major brunt from dramatic climate variances. It is vital to invest in a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coalition on Climate and Health. The impact of climate-related disasters has a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous populations, and more must be done to support First Nations communities to lead climate change prevention, mitigation, and adaptation strategies to improve health outcomes,” said Ms Tegen.

 


About us:

The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) comprises 51 national organisations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the 7 million people in rural and remote Australia. Our diverse membership includes representation from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, health professional organisations, health service providers, health educators and students.


Contact details:

Kathya de Silva,

Media and Communications Officer, National Rural Health Alliance,

media@ruralhealth.org.au

0470 487 608

Media

More from this category

  • Environment, Medical Health Aged Care
  • 07/02/2025
  • 16:15
NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

ILLAWARRA MAN FINED $3000 FOR ILLEGAL SOLARIUM OPERATIONS

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a Wollongong man two penalty notices—each carrying the maximum fine of $1500—for allegedly operating an illegal solarium business in the Illawarra region. An investigation launched by the NSW EPA last November revealed the man was providing covert solarium services out of two residential properties in West Wollongong and Warrawong, where he reportedly charged individuals $35 for 35 minutes of tanning bed use. In NSW, charging a fee for solarium use has been illegal since 2014 due to the significant health risks associated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, including an increased risk of skin…

  • Contains:
  • Legal, Medical Health Aged Care
  • 07/02/2025
  • 14:50
Slater and Gordon

Asbestos warning for residents affected by Queensland floods

As the clean-up continues across Queensland after widespread flooding, residents are being urged to be cautious of asbestos. Hannah Murray, Associate in Dust Diseases and Asbestos at Slater and Gordon Lawyers, warns that the inhalation of asbestos dust and fibres can cause mesothelioma, an aggressive terminal cancer for which there is no cure. “There’s a real concern that residents may start the clean-up process without taking precautions. "The material will already be disturbed from the flood damaged, and that increases the chance and danger of breathing in the deadly fibres,” Ms Murray said. In Australia a staggering 1 in 3…

  • Contains:
  • Medical Health Aged Care
  • 07/02/2025
  • 14:32
The Florey

Florey dementia research to receive major donation in Countess Krasicki v Siecin’s memory

Lady Primrose Potter, AC, CMRI has today announced a generous $1 million donation to The Florey in honour of her daughter, Countess Anne Margaret Primrose Krasicki v Siecin, who sadly passed away this week at the age of 70. Countess Anne Margaret Primrose Krasicki V Siecin had been living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) – a type of dementia more commonly affecting adults in their 50s or 60s. "My daughter, Primrose, has lost her battle with frontotemporal dementia – a heart-wrenching disease,” said Lady Potter. “Like other forms of dementia, FTD is challenging for carers and family members. At each visit,…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.