Newsletter date: 23 November 2013
Contents:
* Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: 'Close the Gap' - failed
* The Wire: Slowly, closing the gap [Featuring Jack Bulman and Associate Professor Gracelyn Smallwood]
* Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: Policy change needed to close the gap
* SNAICC News: COAG report - Lessons for federal reform
* NACCHO AGM Perth 2013 health news: Aboriginal life expectancy increases to Close the Gap
* ABC The World Today: Positive news from efforts to 'close the gap'
* NACCHO Aboriginal Health News Alerts: NACCHO chair launches Australia’s first Aboriginal Health Newspaper at AGM
* NACCHO 2012-13 Annual Report: Investing in Healthy Futures for Generational Change
* NACCHO health workforce news: AMA calls on Aboriginal medical students to apply for AMA scholarship
* NACCHO Aboriginal health news: New report highlights the challenges that remain to significantly improve the lives of Aboriginal people in remote communities
* Melissa Sweet, Croakey - the Crikey health blog: How do we build a health system that is not racist?
* Nour Azhar, SBS Radionews: Health researcher aims to help indigenous children
* GERRY GEORGATOS, THE STRINGER: 'CLOSE THE GAP' - FAILED
- Analysis / Opinion
The Stringer: 'Close the Gap' - failed
http://thestringer.com.au/close-the-gap-failed/
9 Nov 13: "Last week we revealed the lie of $25 billion spent on Indigenous disadvantage, and several weeks ago we revealed that almost 1000 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders died from suicide throughout Australia between 2001 to 2010, ... After exposing that there is in fact no $25 billion spend to address Indigenous disadvantage, ... this week we expose that the Close the Gap campaign is an untold tragedy of misinformation, poor tracking, skewed data and that now, some of the statistics are worse than ever. It is a national disgrace and governments stand condemned." By Gerry Georgatos, a life-long human rights and social justice campaigner, a multi-award winning investigative journalist
* THE WIRE: SLOWLY, CLOSING THE GAP [FEATURING JACK BULMAN AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR GRACELYN SMALLWOOD]
- Audio Interview
The Wire: Slowly, closing the gap
Produced by Rebecca Leaver
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=11052
18 Nov 13: "Life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men has increased by around one and a half years over the last five years, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women life expectancy has increased by about half a year over the period. The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation or NACCHO attributes the rise to the growth in culturally appropriate health services. This report looks at what some of culturally appropriate health services look like and what stop Aboriginal people using mainstream health services. ...
Featured in story:
* Jack Bulman, CEO, Mibbinbah
* Associate Professor Gracelyn Smallwood, Indigenous Advisor to the Vice Chancellor, James Cook University"
* GREENS SENATOR RACHEL SIEWERT: POLICY CHANGE NEEDED TO CLOSE THE GAP
- Media Release
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: Policy change needed to close the gap
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/policy-cha...
6 Nov 13: "Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Issues
The Australian Greens said today it is very disappointing that stronger progress has not been made towards reaching closing the gap targets and that efforts need to reach the goal by 2031.
"Today's report from the COAG Reform Council shows that we're nowhere near close enough to being able to close the gap by 2031 and I am concerned things will not improve if the Coalition does not move away from the ineffective, top-down policy approach of the past," Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
"Just last week, the Government's talk of a truancy crack-down did not include any mention of strategies to target the factors that play a role in low levels of school attendance, such as hearing health, improved delivery of early childhood and primary education or better educational and social support services for disadvantaged families. Most importantly ensuring community are involved in decision making.
"This punitive approach needs to change if we are to deliver on our commitments to close the gap. ... ""
* SNAICC NEWS: COAG REPORT - LESSONS FOR FEDERAL REFORM
- News
SNAICC News: COAG report - Lessons for federal reform
[SNAICC: Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care]
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=1257
7 Nov 13: "The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Reform Council has released a report outlining the progress of the COAG reform agenda for the period of 2008 to 2013. ... While the report shows mixed results in some of the Closing the Gap key target areas, progress is being made in key target areas for the younger population. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child death rates have dropped, more of our young people are completing year 12, and more children in year 3 are achieving basic levels in reading. ... "
* NACCHO AGM PERTH 2013 HEALTH NEWS: ABORIGINAL LIFE EXPECTANCY INCREASES TO CLOSE THE GAP
- News
NACCHO AGM Perth 2013 health news: Aboriginal life expectancy increases to Close the Gap
[NACCHO: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation]
http://nacchocommunique.com/2013/11/18/naccho-agm-perth-2013-health-news...
18 Nov 13: "Life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men increased by around one and a half years over the last five years, compared to about one year for non-Indigenous men. Life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women increased by about half a year over the period, roughly the same increase as non-Indigenous women. Life expectancy at birth for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in 2010-2012 was 69.1 years for men and 73.7 years for women, according to figures released November 15 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)."
* ABC THE WORLD TODAY: POSITIVE NEWS FROM EFFORTS TO 'CLOSE THE GAP'
- Audio
ABC The World Today: Positive news from efforts to 'close the gap'
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2013/s3895875.htm?site=indigeno...
21 Nov 13: "There's some good news today on the Federal Government's efforts to 'close the gap' between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The latest report by the Coordinator General for Remote Indigenous Services, Brian Gleeson shows that gains have been made in health and education. But Mr Gleeson, who oversees the delivery of services in remote communities across Australia, says it will take at least a generation to see Aboriginal Australians enjoying the same quality of life as the rest of the nation. Brian Gleeson spoke to our reporter Michael Coggan earlier ... "
* NACCHO ABORIGINAL HEALTH NEWS ALERTS: NACCHO CHAIR LAUNCHES AUSTRALIA'S FIRST ABORIGINAL HEALTH NEWSPAPER AT AGM
- News
NACCHO Aboriginal Health News Alerts: NACCHO chair launches Australia’s first Aboriginal Health Newspaper at AGM
[NACCHO: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation]
http://nacchocommunique.com/2013/11/20/naccho-chair-launches-australias-...
20 Nov 13: "Working with Aboriginal community controlled and award-winning national newspaper the Koori Mail, NACCHO aims thru NACCHO Health News to bring relevant information on health services, policy and programs to NACCHO members and key industry stakeholders at a grassroots level. ... NACCHO will leverage the brand, coverage and award-winning production skills of the Koori Mail to produce a 20-28 page three times a year, distributed as a ‘lift-out’ in the 14,000 Koori Mail circulation, as well as an extra 5000 copies to be sent directly to NACCHO member organisations across Australia."
* NACCHO 2012-13 ANNUAL REPORT: INVESTING IN HEALTHY FUTURES FOR GENERATIONAL CHANGE
- News
NACCHO 2012-13 Annual Report: Investing in Healthy Futures for Generational Change
[NACCHO: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation]
http://nacchocommunique.com/2013/11/21/naccho-2012-13-annual-report-inve...
21 Nov 13: ""There is a way forward if only the government would listen to NACCHO" read the headline of the editorial in the National newspaper at the end of July this year. This rousing and welcome endorsement of NACCHO and the Aboriginal community control model of health delivery was published towards the end of a huge year for NACCHO and our members as we focused on articulating our vision, delivering good policy, celebrating our successes and raising our profile on both the national and international stage."
* NACCHO HEALTH WORKFORCE NEWS: AMA CALLS ON ABORIGINAL MEDICAL STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR AMA SCHOLARSHIP
- News
NACCHO health workforce news: AMA calls on Aboriginal medical students to apply for AMA scholarship
http://nacchocommunique.com/2013/11/20/naccho-health-workforce-news-ama-...
20 Nov 13: ""An important part of closing the Indigenous health and life expectancy gap is to build an adequate workforce that includes Indigenous doctors and health professionals." AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton,
Consider the facts, there are currently;
175 Indigenous medical practitioners
226 Indigenous medical students ... "
* NACCHO ABORIGINAL HEALTH NEWS: NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE CHALLENGES THAT REMAIN TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE LIVES OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLE IN REMOTE COMMUNITIES
- News
NACCHO Aboriginal health news: New report highlights the challenges that remain to significantly improve the lives of Aboriginal people in remote communities
[NACCHO: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation]
http://nacchocommunique.com/2013/11/21/naccho-aboriginal-health-news-new...
21 Nov 13: "The Coordinator General, Brian Gleeson, says in the report that while the National Partnership has made a solid start on improving the quality of life for Indigenous people in remote communities, it will take a generation to change," The Minister said the report highlights the need for greater government coordination as a critical factor in achieving sustainable results in communities."
* MELISSA SWEET, CROAKEY - THE CRIKEY HEALTH BLOG: HOW DO WE BUILD A HEALTH SYSTEM THAT IS NOT RACIST?
- Article
Croakey - the Crikey health blog: How do we build a health system that is not racist? (Start by taking this online test…)
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/croakey/2013/11/21/how-do-we-build-a-health-s...
21 Nov 13: "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders will be contributing to a "festival of ideas" at this public symposium kicking off in Melbourne today, Closing the Credibility Gap: Implementation of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013- 2023. Journalist Marie McInerney is covering the event for the Croakey Conference Reporting Service (you can read her preview, an interview with Professor Kerry Arabena here.) The article below investigates what is likely to be a key theme of the event – how health services and professionals can help tackle racism." moderated by Melissa Sweet
* NOUR AZHAR, SBS RADIONEWS: HEALTH RESEARCHER AIMS TO HELP INDIGENOUS CHILDREN
- Audio
SBS Radionews: Health researcher aims to help indigenous children
By Nour Azhar
http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/Podcasts/radionews/episode/300911/Health-...
15 Nov 13: "A Darwin researcher is hoping to improve the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of ear and lung problems in Indigenous children. ... A Darwin researcher is hopeful a major funding boost for her work will help improve the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of ear and lung problems in Indigenous children. Kim Hare from the Menzies School of Health Research has been awarded a four-year, government-funded fellowship to assist her research." By Nour Azhar
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