The National AboriginalCommunity Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) welcomed the nib foundation’sannouncement to provide $1 million funding to Aboriginal Community ControlledHealth Services to help close the gap in health and life expectancy outcomesfor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The $1 million funding wasannounced today by the nib Chairman, Steve Crane. This funding will be distributedover four years to support a suite of Aboriginal community controlled programsand help to tackle the current 10-year life expectancy difference between Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.
“This is a very excitinginitiative especially since the gap in health andlife expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and otherAustralians is widening,” said Acting NACCHO Chair, Donnella Mills.
“The burden of disease for the Aboriginal andTorres Strait Island population is 2.3 times higher than for the rest of thepopulation, and it requires additional need-based funding for primaryhealthcare services.
“NACCHO welcomes the nib foundation’s funding thatwill support culturally appropriate health programs delivered by Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander health professionals working in local communities. This funding is an encouraging sign asorganisations such as the nib foundation are willing to support AboriginalCommunity Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to help reduce the lifeexpectancy gap through best practice responses,” said Ms Mills.
“The only way to close the gap in health and life expectancy is through culturally appropriate programs that are responsive to the needs of the communities. Our 144 ACCHOs have a high level of community oversight and accountability with robust and flexible service models grounded in the culture of our people and contemporary primary healthcare practices.”
