The challenge of understanding the differences in health status
between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations is being
addressed by four nations at a three day conference in Canberra
starting today.
The meeting, hosted by the Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare (AIHW) in partnership with the National Advisory Group
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Information and Data
(NAGATSIHID), will focus on improving data and look for shared
projects, such as a common set of indicators, to highlight
progress.
Representatives from New Zealand, Canada, the United States and
Australia have come together as the International Group for
Indigenous Health Measurement to exchange experiences and work
towards improving Indigenous health in these colonised
countries.
Members of the group will also discuss ways to formalise working
relationships and maintain the momentum towards improving
Indigenous health data.
Speakers include the Associate Minister for Health in New
Zealand, the Hon Mita Ririnui, Chief Tom Bressette, Chairman of the
First Nations Statistical Institute Advisory Panel, Canada, Leo
Nolan, from the Office of the Director of the Indian Health Service
in the United States and Dea Delaney-Thiele, Chief Executive
Officer of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health
Organisation in Australia (NACCHO).
'The Hon Mita Ririnui said, 'We know that the health status of
the Indigenous people in our four countries is significantly poorer
than the non Indigenous populations, and this meeting is a chance
for us to build on improving health outcomes and reducing
inequalities by sharing what we have learned from Indigenous
researchers, officials and community based providers.'
Dea Delaney Thiele said, 'Measuring what is important to
Indigenous communities and to government is a priority to ensure we
are doing the rights things in the right way.'
The Hon Tony Abbott, Australian Minister for Health, addressed
representatives and delegates to Canberra today. He welcomed recent
data that shows real improvements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander health and stressed the Government's commitment to
improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people.
The Canberra meeting is the second meeting of the International
Indigenous Health Measurement Group following the first meeting in
Vancouver last year.
28 November 2006
Further information: Fadwa Al-Yaman, AIHW tel.
0417 024 275.
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 61 2 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability of the International Group for
Indigenous Health Measurement, Vancouver 2005 report.