• Identify health problems commonly found in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 1-5 years.
• Understand the impact of child development programs on later life patterns of health.
• Recognise the impact of anaemia and poor nutrition on reduced immunity to infection and delayed physical and intellectual development.
• Recognise the need for a family approach when dealing with issues related to Aboriginal child health and early development.

This program identifies programs and strategies that are having a positive impact on the health issues specific for this age group – ie 'early intervention'.

According to the Secretariat for National and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) and the Centre for Community Child Health:

"Australian Indigenous children are among the most disadvantaged groups of children in our country if not the most disadvantaged."

Evidence suggests that the early years of development from conception to age six, especially the first three years, set the base for competence and coping skills that will affect learning, behaviour and health throughout life.

Good nutrition is necessary for growth and physical and mental health. Normal growth in infancy and childhood is vitally important for good health in adulthood.

Poor nutrition can increase the risk of a number of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers, obesity, gall bladder disease, anaemia, dental caries and renal disease.

Warning to viewers: this program contains images of people who are deceased.

Note that this program is closely linked with the Foundation program Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Care.

- Dr Kate Panaretto, General Practitioner, Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service TAIHS.
- Dr Ngiare Brown, Assistant Director, Indigenous Health, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin.
- Dr John Boffa, Public Health Officer, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Inc., Alice Springs.
- Dr Andrew White, Rural and Remote Health, Department of Health and Community Service, Alice Springs.
- Dr Simone Raye, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin.
- Dr Rebekah Kidney, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Inc., Alukura Alice Springs.
- Ms Carmel Hattch, Liaison Officer, Alice Springs Hospital, Department Health and Community Service, Alice Springs.
- Ms Mandala Pupangamirri, Jirnani Childcare Centre, Nguiu Bathurst Island NT.
- Ms Eva Williams, Nurse, Nguiu Clinic, Bathurst Island NT.
- Ms Marion Swift, Growth Assessment and Action Co-ordinator, Hermannsburg NT.
- Ms Heather Grieve, Program Coordinator Growth Assessment and Action, Hermannsburg NT.
- Ms Cassie Munkasa, Nguiu Clinic, Bathurst Island NT.
- Ms Rachael Atkinson, Coordinator Mums and Babies Program, Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service (TAIHS).
- Marlene Liddle, Co-ordinator Strong Women Strong Babies Strong Culture Program, Department of Health and Community Service, Darwin.
- Carol Schuil, Midwife Nurse, Daruk Aboriginal Medical Services, Western Sydney.
- Dr Wendy Thornthwaite, General Practitioner, Daruk Aboriginal Medical Services, Western Sydney.
- Michele Robinson, Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara NPY.
- Melissa Thompson, Executive Member, Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara NPY.
- Patricia Harvey, Midwife, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Alukura, Alice Springs.
- Elaine Gordon, Aboriginal Antenatal Support Worker, Daruk Aboriginal Medical Services, Western Sydney.
- Melvina Mitchell, Nurse, Mums and Babies Program, Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service.
- Lynette Hussey, Nurse, Mums and Babies Program, Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service.
- Click here for more details about the participants.

You can watch a 3-minute video promo of this program via online webstreaming with Windows Media Player software:

• View online video promo - Low bandwidth version
• View online video promo - High bandwidth version

60 minutes.

This pre-recorded program was broadcast on the Foundation's satellite network on Tuesday 27 September 2005, and repeated on Friday 30 September 2005.

This program is accredited for CPD/CPE by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Click here to evaluate this program and earn professional development points.

Visit our resources page for a list of resources relevant to growing healthy Aboriginal kids.

The Foundation thanks the many organisations and individuals who provided assistance in producing this program. Please view our full list of acknowledgements.

This program was funded by an untied educational grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Ltd in support of better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Additional funding was provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

- 809 Rheumatic Heart Disease: All But Forgotten
- 807 Across the Lifespan: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Checks and Lifescripts
- 720 Taking a Breather: Asthma Management for Indigenous Australians
- 717 Tipping the Scales: Intervention and Management of Childhood Obesity
- 710 Indigenous Mental Health: An Interview with Professor Ernest Hunter
- 709 Rheumatic Fever
- 708 Drinking for Two?
- 702 Alcohol Treatment Guidelines for Indigenous Australians
- 614 Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
- 607a Start Strong
- 607b Grow Strong
- 606 Keep Safe
- 509a Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Care
- 506 Injury Prevention in Aboriginal Communities
- 407 Palliative Care for Indigenous People
- 404 Aboriginal Health Workers and Chronic Disease Management
- 316 Breathing Easy: Respiratory Disease in Indigenous Children
- 313 Overcoming Barriers to Screening of Cervical and Breast Cancer in Indigenous Women
- 305 Talking Together - Contemporary Issues in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: HIV, Hepatitis and Sexual Health
- 205 Indigenous Child Health
- 204 Prevention of Childhood Accidents & Injury
- 202 Oral Health
- 122 Better Managing Childhood Nutrition and Obesity
- 107 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Childhood Immunisation