The Close the Gap program aims to reduce and then close the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life expectancy by encouraging greater use, and improved cultural safety, of mainstream primary care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities.
Chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes and cancer are some of the biggest killers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The affect of these diseases can be greatly reduced through changes in lifestyle and healthier life choices.
Close the Gap's priority areas are to tackle chronic disease risk factors for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders such as smoking, poor nutrition and lack of exercise and to deliver community education initiatives to reduce the prevalence of these risk factors.
In the Central Highlands region, the program will have a particular focus on building and strengthening partnerships and on identifying and addressing barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities accessing quality health care and comprehensive chronic disease management locally.
Useful documents
Department of Health and Ageing Closing the Gap
For further information about this program, please contact: Fran DeGandi