Per person spending on health services for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples was 17% higher than for the non-Indigenous
population in 2004-05, according to a report released today by the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
AIHW health economist John Goss said, '$4,718 was spent on
health per Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, 17% higher
than the $4,019 per person estimated for non-Indigenous
Australians.'
'This is very similar to our 18% estimate for 2001-02, and there
has been no significant change in this ratio in the last nine
years,' he said.
This 17% higher health expenditure is in the context of Indigenous
health status being much worse than for other Australians, and a
corresponding higher need for health services for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples.
According to the report, Expenditures on health for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 2004-05, total
expenditure on health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples was estimated at $2,304 million in 2004-05.
State and territory governments and the Australian Government
funded almost equal amounts of money for Indigenous health care
(48% and 45% respectively) and 8% came from private sources,
including out-of-pocket payments.
'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people relied more
heavily on public services than other Australians, particularly
public hospitals and community health services,' Mr Goss said, 'and
consequently government funding of services used by Indigenous
persons was much higher than for other Australians-$4,356 per
person compared with $2,763, or 58% higher.'
'This level of funding is similar to the funding governments
provide to other Australians with similar low income levels to
Indigenous Australians,' he said.
'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples used privately
provided medical, pharmaceutical and other health practitioner
services less than non-Indigenous Australians, and in particular
were comparatively low users of Medicare, and the Pharmaceutical
Benefits Scheme (PBS),' Mr Goss said.
Medicare benefits for medical services per person were estimated
at just 46% of the non Indigenous average and those for the PBS
(including special arrangements in remote areas) at 51%.
Although improvements have been made, accurate Indigenous
identification is still a major barrier to more precise data on
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' use of health
care.
Friday 29 February 2008
Further information: Mr John Goss, AIHW 02 6244
1151, mob. 0402 346 379.
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 61 2 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for the availability of Expenditures on health
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
2004-05.