Live Strong: Closing the Gap on Chronic Disease

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• published: 14 Jan 2014
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The gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is now about 10 to 12 years. Most of that gap is due to chronic diseases such as diabetes, lung, heart and kidney disease. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, lack of exercise, and obesity, as well as poor living conditions, contribute to the chance of developing these diseases. Indigenous Australians tend to contract them at an earlier age than other Australians, their rates of illness are much higher, they have higher rates of hospitalisation, and they die at an earlier age. However, much of this chronic illness, and the associated complications, can be prevented with effective primary health care. This program is the latest of the half hour documentary style programs in the Strong series. It emphasises the need for a comprehensive approach to the prevention, treatment and management of chronic disease. It also looks at Indigenous concepts of health and explores how these might shape more effective intervention programs. The program emphasises that the gap in life expectancy cannot be closed unless chronic disease issues are addressed in an approach that values autonomy, cultural identity, and community responsibility. The program showcases some of the particular projects that are making a difference: • The Family Wellbeing Program at Yarrabah in Queensland is a successful community program that aims to build and strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of individuals, their families and communities. It emphasises the fact that emotional and social wellbeing is significantly implicated with physical health. • The Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Outreach Program, run by the Dharah Gibinj Aboriginal Medical Service in Casino NSW, has been specifically designed to address some of the lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition and lack of physical exercise that contribute to the development of chronic illness. • The Improved Primary Health Care Initiative at Mossman Gorge Aboriginal Community in Queensland is a team approach which aims to improve people's understanding of the impact of diabetes on their health and encourages them to participate in the self management of their chronic condition. (Click on the "case studies" button on the right-hand side of this page for more detail on these projects. Note that these case studies are also featured in the Foundation's program Sharing Solutions: Indigenous Communities Tackling Chronic Disease). This program is presented by Daniel Browning, presenter and producer of the Indigenous arts and culture program, Awaye! on ABC Radio National. It also features leading Indigenous health professionals: This documentary program is suitable for use by Indigenous community organisations in health promotion and communication activities. WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this program may contain images of people who have died. Produced by the Rural Health Education Foundation http://www.rhef.com.au/