A five-year research project has been awarded a $745,000 grant to Close the Gap by increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who receive an annual health check by their GP.
Renowned population health researcher, Laureate professor Rob Sanson-Fisher, from the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), will lead a team of expert Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal researchers.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Indigenous people have a life expectancy of about eight years less than non-Indigenous Australians.
Professor Sanson-Fisher said timely diagnosis and appropriate management was vital to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Aboriginal people often receive a diagnosis at a more advanced stage of chronic disease, which means there’s less opportunity to prevent their condition and health deteriorating,” he said.
Professor Sanson-Fisher added chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, mental and substance use disorders, cancer, diabetes and vision loss, were major contributors to unhealthy ageing among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“The prevalence of most chronic diseases increases with age and affects not only physical health, but also the broader contributors to the well-being of older Aboriginal people, including participation in family, community and cultural leadership roles and connection with community networks,” he said.
Twenty-two mainstream general practice clinics within the Central Coast and New England regions will participate in the research project.
The intervention package will comprise strategies such as continuing medical education, recall and reminder systems, and mailed invitations to patients.
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