Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience much greater mortality and burden from chronic disease than non‑Indigenous Australians. Closing the Gap is a commitment by all Australian governments to improve the lives of Aboriginal and/ Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Our role

We commission culturally appropriate providers to deliver health services in the NT to make sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access the right health care.

This includes working closely with Aboriginal community-controlled health services to support Aboriginal people’s control of their own health and wellbeing.

A key focus of ours is to work towards the Australian Government’s Closing the Gap outcomes to help improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples emotional, social and physical wellbeing.

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience poorer health and die younger than other Australians.

Programs

Our programs include:

The Rural Primary Health Service program helps deliver targeted, comprehensive primary health care specific to the community’s needs.

We work closely with Aboriginal community-controlled health services to promote joint services and wider access and holistic responses to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health.

Integrated team care means taking a coordinated approach to the care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people so they can access multidisciplinary care and receive support to self-manage their condition. It also improves access to culturally appropriate primary care services such as general practice, allied health and specialists. 

We commission services to employ care coordinators so they can take an integrated team care approach.

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