Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
$805.5 million Commonwealth investment in Closing the Gap
The Commonwealth delivers on its commitment to Indigenous health
At its meeting on 29 November 2008, the Commonwealth announced $805.5 million over the four years (2009-10 to 2012-13) for the Indigenous Chronic disease Package as its contribution to COAG’s $1.6 billion National Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes. The Commonwealth’s investment will prevent and better manage chronic diseases, which account for some two thirds of the premature deaths among Indigenous Australians. It will contribute to addressing the COAG-agreed targets for Indigenous Australians of closing the life expectancy gap within a generation.
The following are elements of the Commonwealth’s package:
- Tackle the key risk factors for chronic diseases;
- Improve chronic disease management and follow-up care; and
- Increase the capacity of the primary care workforce to deliver effective health care to Indigenous Australians with chronic diseases.
