Health services for Indigenous people

There are a wide range of health services dedicated to the health problems and issues of Indigenous Australians over 50, which can be accessed via a number of programs and organisations including:

• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan 2000-2010
• Primary Health Care Access Program
• Sharing Health Care Initiative
• Access to Pharmaceuticals
• Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
• Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet
• Indigenous Portal
• National Indigenous Pneumococcal and Flu Immunisation Program
• Diabetes
• Incontinence
• Australian Hearing Specialist Program for Indigenous Australians (AHSPIA)

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan 2000-2010

Indigenous Australians are at greater risk of poor health, particularly the development of chronic diseases, partly due to inadequate nutrition.

Access to nutritious and affordable food is a significant issue for many Indigenous Australians, particularly in remote regions where food availability, transport and storage are critical factors.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan 2000-2010 (NATSINSAP) aims to facilitate a coordinated national approach to Indigenous public health nutrition by highlighting key areas for action to improve Indigenous health and wellbeing through better nutrition.

The NATSINSAP highlights seven key areas for action including food supply in rural and remote communities, family focussed nutrition promotion and national food and nutrition information systems.

It forms an integral part of the broader public health nutrition strategic framework and agenda for action, Eat Well Australia 2000-2010, produced through the National Public Health Partnerships' Strategic Inter-Governmental Nutrition Alliance.

Primary Health Care Access Program

The Primary Health Care Access Program is being implemented in close cooperation with Indigenous health workers. It has three objectives:

1. to increase the availability of appropriate health care services
2. to reform local health care systems to better meet the needs of Indigenous Australians, and
3. to enable individuals and communities to take greater responsibility for their own health.

Sharing Health Care Initiative

The Sharing Health Care Initiative focuses on people over 50 years, or over 35 for those of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, who have one or more of the following chronic or complex conditions: cardiovascular disease; diabetes; arthritis; osteoporosis; respiratory disorders; or depression when it occurs with another condition.

The projects undertaken are designed to improve the health-related quality of life and the use of the health care system for people with chronic diseases, particularly those with more than one condition.

Projects are varied and are conducted in urban areas, rural communities and also specifically for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities. The results of each project are evaluated and communicated to a wide range of health professionals, so treatment for these conditions can be improved throughout the community.

Access to Pharmaceuticals

The Australian Government is improving access to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines by clients of remote area Aboriginal Health Services (AHS).

If you attend an approved remote area AHS, you may be able to receive PBS medicines directly from the AHS when you have your medical consultation.
There is no charge and you do not need a normal prescription form.

Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services

Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are autonomous organisations initiated by Aboriginal communities. These services are governed by a body which is elected by the local Aboriginal community to deliver holistic, culturally appropriate, primary health care services to the communities which it serves.

At the national level, these organisations are represented by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation. If you are over 55, your medical practitioner can undertake an in-depth assessment of your health. You can ask for a health assessment at any time, however, Medicare only provides a rebate for one health assessment per year. If your medical practitioner bulk-bills then you will not have to pay for the annual assessment.

Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet

The Australian Indigenous Health Infonet is an information source for Indigenous Australians on health and information technology issues and training.

Indigenous Portal

For a list of health and other government services for Indigenous Australians and Torres Straight Islander the Indigenous Portal is an excellent reference source.

National Indigenous Pneumococcal and Flu Immunisation Program

Influenza and pneumococcal diseases are major causes of preventable sickness and death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Pneumococcal disease is caused by a bacterium and can cause pneumonia and blood infections. Flu is caused by a viral infection and can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, sore throat and severe cough.

The National Indigenous Pneumococcal and Flu Immunisation Program provides vaccines to Indigenous adults seen at high risk to these diseases - those over 50 and those between 15 and 49 years of age who have other medical conditions such as heart disease, kidney or lung disease, asthma or those who abuse substances.

You need to have a flu vaccination every year and a pneumococcal vaccine booster every five years. Check with your health care provider about when you are due for a booster. The vaccines are available for free through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, State and Territory immunisation clinics, council clinics and from medical practitioners. If your medical practitioner is not aware that you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, you are encouraged to provide them with this information, so that free vaccines may be provided to you.

Diabetes

Diabetes and its complications contribute significantly to ill health, disability and premature death in Australia. Diabetes related complications include coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, blindness, kidney disease, amputation of limbs and impotence. The prevalence of diabetes among Indigenous Australians is about two to four times that of non-Indigenous Australians.

There are a number of chronic disease programs that focus on diabetes and related conditions for Indigenous Australians. These programs aim to enhance the early detection and management of chronic disease in Indigenous Australians.

A number of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are involved in these programs. For further information go to Diabetes Australia.

Incontinence

Proper assessment, treatment and good management can significantly improve the quality of life for people with incontinence. The condition can sometimes be cured or improved.

Indigenous Australians have particular needs for appropriate continence information, resources and education. For this reason, the National Continence Management Strategy has developed a range of materials for Indigenous communities. They also provide community based training for Indigenous health workers.

A package which contains 11 information leaflets, a poster, a flip chart and a comic is available from the National Continence Hotline, phone: 1800 33 00 66 to speak to a continence nurse, or you can visit the Incontinence website.

Australian Hearing Specialist Program for Indigenous Australians (AHSPIA)

Australian Hearing provides hearing services to eligible Indigenous Australians via the AHSPIA. A Hearing Services Voucher is available for eligible people to obtain, free of charge, a hearing assessment, hearing rehabilitation and the selection and fitting of hearing aids. This voucher can be used at any accredited hearing services provider.

To be eligible you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) Gold Card or a DVA White Card covering hearing loss.

You may also be eligible if you are a client of the Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service or receiving Sickness Allowance from Centrelink.