1. CLOSE THE GAP

2. In Australia there are over 510,000 Indigenous people making up 2
In Australia there are over 510,000 Indigenous people making up 2.5% of the total Australian population

3. Some live on the beautiful Torres Strait Islands, others live in remote communities, country towns or urban cities

4. Together we share a common humanity
We are all created equally
But our opportunities in life and our levels of disadvantage vary greatly

5. Today One of us is expected to live 17 years longer than the other
One of us is 10 times more likely to be
diagnosed with kidney disease
One of us is 3 times more likely to have diabetes
One of us is Indigenous and one is not

6. Today
A huge gap exists between the life expectancy and health of those who are Indigenous and those who are not.
Life Expectancy Gap= 17 years 82 82 77 77
Non-Indigenous Women
Non-Indigenous Women
Non-Indigenous Men
Non-Indigenous Men 65 65 60 60
Indigenous Women
Indigenous Women
Indigenous Men
Indigenous Men
Indigenous Men

7. Life expectancy rate for Indigenous Australians are alarmingly
similar to those in a number of developing countries
Cambodia Bangladesh Indigenous Aust.
Average Life Country Expectancy
Cambodia
Bangladesh and Pakistan
Indigenous Australia
Bolivia and Bhutan
India
Indonesia
Vietnam, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu

8. But such a gap has no place in our society
It cannot be tolerated
We cannot look away
We have to care
We have to ask why

9. Why is there a gap? These all lead to the Gap
The reasons are complex.
Social, economic and physical factors all play a role.
Dispossession Dislocation Discrimination
Poor and overcrowded housing Poor diet and nutrition
Unemployment Limited access to health care services
(3 times the rate for
non-Indigenous people )
Low income
(Indigenous Australians earn just 62%
of the income of non-Indigenous people).
Lack of education (In 2006, 21 % of 15 year old Indigenous people were not participating in school education)
These all lead to the Gap

10. For many Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal peoples
the odds are
stacked
against them

11. Education and training
How can we Close the Gap?
We have the resources and knowledge to close the gap
Equality
Empowerment
Services and resources
Opportunities
Education and training
Recognition and respect
Working in partnership

12. is working with the Diabetes Management Program on the
In the remote Kimberley region of
Western Australia,
Caritas Australia
is working with the Diabetes Management Program on the
prevention,
management,
treatment
and care of diabetes

13. Success is being achieved through
Cooking classes using local and traditional foods
Parental
Involvement
School fitness
and health
programs
Provision of
healthy
breakfasts
Diabetes education
Training of community leaders to run
the program
Nutrition education
Shops are clearly identifying healthy food with coloured stickers
The local people are taking control of their own health.
Diabetes in these communities is decreasing!

14. Together we are making a difference
promoting a change in lifestyle behaviours and health to Close the Gap

15. But Together, we are moving forward Now we need to ensure that the
We can do more …. we need help.
Prime Minister Mr. Kevin Rudd has promised to close the
17-year life expectancy gap between indigenous and
non-indigenous Australians by 2030.
He has promised that Indigenous people will get health services equal to those of the rest of the population within 10 years.
Now we need to ensure that the
government keeps its promise.

17. What is the Close the Gap Campaign?
The Close the Gap campaign is calling on Australian
governments to take action to achieve health equality for
Indigenous Australians within 25 years by:
A long-term investment in Indigenous health;
investment in financial and human resources
Increasing Indigenous control and participation in the delivery of health services to ensure that people are active partners in their own health
Addressing critical social issues such as housing, education
and self-determination which contribute to the Indigenous health crisis

18. What can you do to Close the Gap?
Take the 30 for 2030 challenge – Get 30 friends, family, neighbours to sign a Close the Gap pledge.
Challenge you classmates to get involved too!!
Sign the Close the Gap pledge
Join the
Facebook Close the Gap group
and post relevant news
on the Wall
facebook.com/closethegapcampaign

19. CLOSE THE GAP