Overview

There are many aspects of the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians where significant improvements are continuing or emerging. But significant gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians remain. This disadvantage, or the 'gap' between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, starts from birth and continues throughout life.

More reports and statistics on Indigenous Australians can be found under The health & welfare of Australia's Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and Indigenous health & welfare services.

Latest findings

The Indigenous hospitalisation rate for cataract surgery rose by 36% in the last 10 years 19% of the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians was due to cardiovascular diseases and 14% to injuries Over one third of Indigenous people with diabetes had not had an eye examination in the preceding 12 months 5% decrease in the age-standardised rate of total burden in the Indigenous population between 2003 and 2011 Tobacco use accounted for 23% of the gap in burden between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians The prevalence of active trachoma among Indigenous 5–9 year olds has decreased since 2009, but plateaued in recent years 3 highest ranked disease were coronary heart disease, suicide & self-inflicted injuries and anxiety disorders Median waiting times for cataract surgery Indigenous Australians were longer than non-Indigenous Australians Reducing exposure to modifiable risk factors would prevent 37% of the burden of disease in Indigenous Australians Mental & substance use disorders, such as anxiety, depression and alcohol use disorders, caused 19% of the burden Indigenous Australians experienced burden 2.3 times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians Chronic diseases were responsible for 70% of the total health gap in 2011

Featured reports

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Highlights