Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet, Kurongkurl Katitjin, Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research is located at Edith Cowan University, Mt Lawley, Western Australia:http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/ .
Overview of Indigenous Health 2004, a lengthy and detailed documentation of indigenous population and health statistics (2004): “Indigenous people remain the least healthy sub-population in Australia , and there is evidence that the disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health, at least measured by mortality, has widened in recent years [158]. The lack of real improvement in Indigenous mortality in Australia contrasts markedly with the situation among Indigenous people in New Zealand , Canada and the United States . The success achieved in those countries 'generates considerable confidence that effective action in Australia will produce substantial changes in Indigenous health' [158]. Achievement of these changes will require progress in five areas: infrastructure (including physical environmental and socioeconomic aspects); Indigenous self-determination of health services; access to a network of community-controlled primary healthcare services; an adequate level of resources; and a skilled workforce… The actual amount of extra funds required to enable Indigenous people get access to high quality, integrated primary health care services and to ensure progress towards an adequate, appropriate workforce are probably at least $450 million per year, the amount by which the AMA believes Indigenous health was under-funded in 2004 [157, p.2]. Funding increases of this order, complemented by the COAG developments and infrastructure progress, are essential to ensure that Australia doesn't just keep 'treading water on . Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health'” [1].
[1]. Thomson N, Burns J, Burrow S, Kirov E (2004) Overview of Indigenous health 2004. Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin;4(4): Reviews 1:
http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/html/html_bulletin/bull_44/reviews/thomson/reviews_thomson_1.htm .