Close the Gap

Australian campaign to achieve health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

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Close the Gap is a social justice campaign in Australia aimed at achieving health equality for Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The campaign seeks to address the significant health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by advocating for policy changes, increased funding, and community-led health initiatives.

Background

The health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is a significant issue, with Indigenous Australians experiencing lower life expectancy, higher rates of chronic diseases, and poorer access to healthcare services. The Close the Gap campaign was launched in 2006 by a coalition of non-governmental organizations, health bodies, and Indigenous groups to address these disparities.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Close the Gap campaign include:

• Achieving health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within a generation.
• Ensuring equal access to healthcare services for Indigenous Australians.
• Reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease among Indigenous populations.
• Increasing the life expectancy of Indigenous Australians to match that of non-Indigenous Australians.

Strategies

The campaign employs several strategies to achieve its goals:

• Advocacy and Policy Change: Working with government bodies to implement policies that support health equality.
• Community Engagement: Involving Indigenous communities in the design and delivery of health services to ensure they are culturally appropriate and effective.
• Public Awareness: Raising awareness about the health disparities faced by Indigenous Australians through media campaigns and public events.

Progress and Challenges

Since its inception, the Close the Gap campaign has made some progress in raising awareness and influencing policy. However, challenges remain, including:

• Funding: Ensuring sustained and adequate funding for Indigenous health programs.
• Data Collection: Improving the collection and analysis of health data to better understand and address disparities.
• Cultural Competency: Enhancing the cultural competency of healthcare providers to improve service delivery to Indigenous communities.

Related pages

• Indigenous health in Australia
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation