[Background note from the moderator on Indigenous Australians health situation
follows the main posting].

Striking HIV infection rate among Indigenous Australians

In the latest issue (1 August 2005) of the Medical Journal of
Australia (MJA), Wright et al present evidence of a higher rate of
HIV among Indigenous people in Western Australia than in the non-
Indigenous population.

They report that, while the rate of HIV notifications in the non-
Indigenous population declined between 1985 and 2002, it increased
in the Indigenous population. The difference in risk for Indigenous
women was striking — 39% of all female HIV notifications in WA since
1994 have been for Indigenous women, giving an Indigenous : non-
Indigenous age-standardised rate ratio of 18.

In contrast, the rate ratio for Indigenous males was 2. Wright et al
also confirmed the marked differentials in risk of other sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) in the Indigenous population — with
Indigenous : non-Indigenous age-standardised rate ratios of 242 for
syphilis, 77 for gonorrhoea and 16 for chlamydia.

The data in this study are likely to predominantly reflect the
situation in rural and remote regions of WA, and the authors
acknowledge the difficulties of interpreting surveillance data.
Nevertheless, the findings demand attention.
___________
Fulfilling prophecy? Sexually transmitted infections and HIV
in Indigenous people in Western Australia
Michael R Wright, Carolien M Giele, Phyll R Dance and Sandra C
Thompson. Med J Aust 2005; 183 (3): 124-128.

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/183_03_010805/wri10151_fm.html
______________
[Background note from the moderator on Indigenous Australians health situation].

Less than one third of Indigenous Australians will reach their 65th birthday,
compared with nearly 90% of non-Indigenous Australians. This is often due to
preventable causes, such as diabetes and respiratory conditions. One in ten
Indigenous deaths are children under one year old. Worse still, on current
trends, Indigenous health is tipped to worsen over the coming decade

The health of Indigenous Australians is the worst in the developed world, with
life expectancies 20 years less than other Australians. Alarmingly, the crisis
is getting worse rather than better. In similar countries, such as New Zealand,
the US and Canada, the health of Indigenous peoples has been rapidly improved by
determined government action over the last 25 years.

The following are some of the facts about the health of Indigenous Australians.
Source: http://www.antar.org.au/health/health_stats.html


The overall health condition of people in Nepal is much better than the health
condition of Indigenous Australians,

Life Expectancy
Australians in general enjoy the second highest life-expectancy among OECD
countries.

The gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is 20 years. This gap
increased over the period 1997-2001.

In the USA and New Zealand, the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous is 5–7 years.

About 45% of deaths among Indigenous males, and 34% of deaths among Indigenous
females, occur before age 45.

The corresponding proportions for other Australian males and females were 10%
and 6%, respectively.

Most Indigenous males (76%) and Indigenous females (65%) die before age 65. The
reverse is true for other Australians: most males and females (73% and 84%) live
beyond age 65.

Median Age of Death

For Indigenous Australians the median age of death is 53 years, with no
improvement over the last decade.

For other Australians this is 77 years, which is a rise of 3 years over the last
decade.

The median age of death for Indigenous people in NZ is 59, Canada 65, US 63: all
improved over the last 25 years.

Infant Mortality

Indigenous infant mortality rates are 2.5 times that of other Australian
infants.

7% of Indigenous deaths are of infants less than one year old, whereas less than
1% of non-Indigenous infants die before age 1.

Infant mortality rates for Indigenous Australians are almost twice as high as
those of the NZ and US Indigenous populations.

Death from Preventable Conditions

Diabetes: 8 times higher
Respiratory conditions: 4 times higher
Circulatory conditions: 3 times higher

Chronic Disease
Heart disease: 3 times higher
Respiratory conditions: 9-11 times higher
Kidney disease: 9 times higher

Health Workforce
Estimated at least 59% increase in doctors required, and a 25% increase in
nurses.

Low Birth weight
Indigenous babies are twice as likely to have low birth weight with little
improvement since 1991.

Ear Infections and Hearing Loss
93% of children in remote communities suffer hearing damage from middle ear
infections.

Hospitalisation
Indigenous Australians are twice as likely to be hospitalised than other
Australians.

Health Funding
15% real increase in government funding between 1995–96 and 1998–99.
Level of health spending is 22% higher for Indigenous people but the need is
200% greater.