The Medical Journal of Australia · 2002 · 101 citations · 2 references
Public AffairsHealth EducationHealth PolicyHealth EquityPopulation Health PolicyPublic Health PolicyCommunity Health PolicyHealth Workforce DevelopmentIndigenous HealthPrimary Health CarePublic Health ResponseSanitation PolicyIndigenous Health EducationIndigenous Public HealthPrimary Care Access FinancingPrimary Care Access ImprovementPrimary Health Care AccessTorres StraitTrainingWater Supply Planning
In the 10 years 1990-2000, despite improvements in some conditions, there has been little or no overall progress in the health of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations of Australia. This is in stark contrast to the gains made in Indigenous health in other countries. The issue is one of lack of commitment to and implementation of already existing policies. We need to (i) fully and adequately fund the Primary Health Care Access Program to provide the out-of-hospital services for prevention and early treatment required to break the cycle of ill-health; (ii) implement a National Training Plan to train the necessary health workforce; and (iii) introduce a National Infrastructure Plan to rectify the continuing deficiencies in water supply, sanitation, education and other basic services.
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