April 8 program features tools for improving Indigenous lifespans
February 20, 2008A new Rural Health Education Foundation program airing on Tuesday 8th April 2008 focuses on tools designed to address the relatively short life expectancy and high risks of chronic disease experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Across the Lifespan: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Checks and Lifescripts, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, explores the suite of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medicare Health Checks and supporting Lifescripts tools, using case studies to illustrate their successful use and implementation.
“The aim of these tools is to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples receive primary health care matched to their needs,” says Rural Health Education Foundation CEO Don Perlgut. “So this program is particularly important in the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to address one of the most fundamental issues facing Australian rural and remote health, namely the relatively dire health of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.”
Case studies and an expert panel
The format of Across the Lifespan is a filmed panel discussion led by Dr Norman Swan. Other panellists include Dr Peter O’Mara, Vice President of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, and Ms Nola Whyman, Manager of Maari Ma Primary Health Care Service in Broken Hill NSW. The program will be introduced by the Hon Nicola Roxon, MP, Minister for Health and Ageing.
The program includes three case studies filmed in two locations, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, each illustrating the successful use and implementation of the Health Checks. Each case study illustrates the need to establish a rapport, not only with the client, but also with their parent/carer, assuring confidentiality, appropriate communication and referral to other services and support systems.
Broadcast details
The pre-recorded program airs on the Foundation’s satellite network at 8.00pm (AEST) on Tuesday 8th April, with repeats at 8.00pm Perth time that same evening (two hours later) and 12.30pm on Friday 11th April.
The program will also be available via the Internet for viewing via web-streamed video or listening via an audio pod-cast.
Bridging the lifespan gap
The health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continues to lag behind that of non-Indigenous Australians. Increased mortality rates in all age groups, shorter life expectancy and higher risks of chronic disease feature strongly. Early intervention into this cycle provides opportunities to make a difference to health outcomes. Lifescripts tools and the suite of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Check MBS items facilitate this.
More information
For more information on the program - including presenter details, access instructions and associated educational resources - visit the program page or contact the Foundation.