June 15th broadcast and DVD to help Indigenous Australians tackle chronic disease
June 1, 2010A new Rural Health Education Foundation television program airing on Tuesday June 15th details how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can successfully tackle chronic disease with a comprehensive approach to prevention, treatment and management.
Live Strong: Closing the Gap on Chronic Disease, the latest program in the Foundation’s documentary style Strong Series, also looks at Indigenous concepts of health and explores how these might shape more effective intervention programs.
The half-hour 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.
Program available free on DVD
Free DVD copies of this program are available for Indigenous organisations and for health professionals working in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander health, courtesy of funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. (Anyone else can purchase the DVD from the Foundation.) If you are eligible for a free copy, please email us at support@rhef.com.au, including your complete postal address and contact telephone details.
Life expectancy gap due mostly to chronic disease
“There is a 10 to 12 year gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and most of that gap is due to chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart, lung and kidney disease,” says Rural Health Education Foundation CEO Don Perlgut. “Indigenous Australians also tend to contract chronic diseases at an earlier age.”
“In view of these alarming statistics, we’re very happy that our new program debuting on June 15th will help Indigenous communities to close the gap,” Mr Perlgut says. “And we’re delighted to be able to offer the program to Indigenous communities free of charge, thanks to our generous funding partners.”
Successful case studies
Live Strong: Closing the Gap on Chronic Disease showcases three Australian projects that are helping to close the gap:
- The Family Wellbeing Program at Yarrabah in Queensland
- The Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Outreach Program, run by the Dharah Gibinj Aboriginal Medical Service in Casino, NSW
- The Improved Primary Health Care Initiative at Mossman Gorge Aboriginal Community in Queensland
Commentary from Indigenous health experts
The program is presented by Daniel Browning, presenter and producer of the Indigenous arts and culture program Awaye! on ABC Radio National. In addition to these filmed case studies, the program features expert commentary from leading Indigenous health practitioners Dr Alex Brown, Head of the Centre for Indigenous Vascular and Diabetes Research for the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Alice Springs, NT; Dr Sally Goold, Chairperson and Executive Director of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses, QLD; Ms Deanne Minniecon, Senior Health Promotion Officer (Indigenous Health) with Queensland Health; and Dr Mark Wenitong, Senior Medical Officer at the Apunipima Cape York Health Council in Cairns, QLD.
Program funding
Live Strong: Closing the Gap on Chronic Disease is produced with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, with additional funding provided by an untied educational grant from MSD in support of better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Marian and E.H. Flack Trust and the Rural Health Education Foundation also contributed funding for this program.
Broadcast details
Live Strong: Closing the Gap on Chronic Disease will be broadcast across the Rural Health Education Foundation’s satellite television network on Tuesday June 15th at 8.00pm (AEST), with repeats at 8.00pm Perth time that same evening (three hours later) and 12.30pm on Friday June 18th.
Also accessible online
After the initial broadcast, the Foundation’s website will also provide the program for viewing via video web-streaming or listening via an audio podcast, both free of charge.
About the chronic disease gap
The gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is now about 10 to 12 years, mostly due to chronic diseases. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, lack of exercise, and obesity, as well as poor living conditions, contribute to the chance of developing these diseases.
Rates of illness among Indigenous Australians 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.
More information
For more information about the Live Strong: Closing the Gap on Chronic Disease program - including presenter details, case studies and associated educational resources - go to the online program summary or contact the Foundation.