Close The Gap Campaign Progress

To coincide with the Prime Minister's annual report card on progress in reducing Indigenous disadvantage, the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), member of the Close the Gap campaign, has released its 2015 Close the Gap Progress and Priorities Report.
PHAA's Vice President Vanessa Lee said that despite initiatives including reduced cost barriers for the Indigenous in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, there is still a lot of work to be done in reducing inequality, and a whole-government mandate with a clear vision is required.
“The release of the findings of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Measures Survey (NATSIHMS) identified the need to focus on reducing the causes of the burden of illness.  The NATSIHMS and the 2015 Close the Gap Progress and Priorities Report - along with the Prime Minister’s annual report card to Parliament - demonstrate that progress is being made towards reducing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage.  However, reminding us that health is fundamental to the goals that the Government seeks to achieve, the Close the Gap Report highlights in particular the need to continue to extend the Tackling Indigenous Smoking Program as part of the ongoing steps to address chronic disease," Ms Lee said.
“Australia’s record in reducing harms associated with tobacco through a variety of public health measures is recognised internationally.  The decline in smoking rates amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is testimony to the success of the Tackling Indigenous Smoking Program.  But rather than resting on our laurels, we need to expand these programs that work well.
“The Report also highlights the high levels of treatable and preventable diseases suffered by Indigenous Australians.  Early detection and prevention is the key to reducing the burden of chronic disease such as diabetes, yet many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities simply don’t have adequate access to health services.  We need to not only increase access to services, but increase the availability of health promotion messages presented in an accessible fashion.
“Ultimately, we are calling on all sides of politics and all levels of government to continue to support the national strategies that we know are making a difference to Close the Gap, to comprehensively implement the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan and to develop a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Determinants of Health Policy.  If we are serious about closing the life expectancy gap in a generation we need to adequately address the social determinants, focus on social inclusion, and support opportunities in education, employment and health status, with funding tied to delivery of outcomes.
“PHAA is calling on government to give Close the Gap a fair go by investing in our efforts and staying on track,” Ms Lee said