Aboriginal Health

Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health & Wellbeing

The current National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031 (Health Plan) delivered by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is the main policy document for improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.

In line with the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap, it focuses on:

• identifying opportunities to strengthen and prioritise the community controlled health sector
• outlining the necessary processes for mainstream health services to provide culturally safe and responsive care.

The plan was developed the plan in full and genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This makes sure it reflects what is important to them and their point of view. The plan takes a bigger picture and strengths-based approach that supports the cultural and social factors across a person's life.

The First Nations Governance Group (FNHGG) has been established as a genuine partnership between the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and First Nations health experts and leaders and will be in place until 2031, aligning with the term of the Health Plan The FNHGG seeks to co-design and share decisions by embedding expert and First Nations perspectives in the department’s policy design, delivery, and advice to government. An Accountability Framework is being developed under guidance from the FNHGG.

Improved health & wellbeing

Country SA PHN is part of the South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium, which was established to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal South Australians by working together in the prevention and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic diseases.

The South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium Road Map for Action outlines the specific activities in which the partnership is striving toward.

Five local South Australian community leaders have supported Country SA PHN by recording messages to support the community.

• Steven Sumner,
• Barry Johncock,
• Uncle Terry Hartman,
• Aunty Kaylene O’Loughlin
• Lou Lou Brown

Country SA PHN works closely with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute in the connection between Aboriginal Health research and policy.

The Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Theme provide invaluable information to support the strategic direction of Aboriginal health policy in country South Australia.

Country SA PHN is part of the South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium, which was established to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal South Australians by working together in the prevention and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic diseases.

• Look at the implications of research and what that may mean to services on the ground.
  
• Look at areas where there are known gaps
  
• Look at past and present researched responses to ensure gaps within the primary health care sector being addressed accordingly.

Ensure research outcomes are applied within an Aboriginal context encompassing self-management and self-determination within a holistic health framework.