Aboriginal hearts suffer the most: new health data from the Heart Foundation



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Indigenous Australians are dying as a result of heart disease twice as fast as other Australians and, in some areas, three times faster than the rest of the community, according to new data released today. by the Heart Foundation.

Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders are admitted to hospital for heart disease 2.6 times more often than non-Aboriginal Australians. More importantly, in most Australian regions (33 out of 47 regions), Aboriginal Australians are hospitalized at rates above this national average. Aboriginal women in the Northern Territory are six times more hospitalized for heart problems than other Australian women.

The new data available on Australian heart cards are being published in Brisbane today by Corey Turner, Heart Foundation's Aboriginal Engagement Officer. Jane Potter, Director, Health Equity, at the National Aboriginal Health Organization's (NACCHO) Annual Conference.

is responsible for about a quarter of the difference in life expectancy compared to non-Aboriginal Australians, "Ms. Potter said. "In parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, hospitalization rates are four times higher than among non-Aboriginals living in the same area."

Dr. Potter stated that Aboriginal women and Torres Strait Islanders suffered the most. "In the northern territory alone, Aboriginal women are admitted to hospital with heart failure six times more than non-Aboriginal women in the territory," said Ms. Potter. "If people live in the same area and have the same level of access to services, then we have to ask ourselves, why are the health outcomes so different?"

The Heart Foundation speaks for Aborigines and the Torres Strait Islanders, there is a historical mistrust of traditional health services: "It may mean that many people will be slow to seek medical help at their clinic local (if they have one) in time to avoid being hospitalized. They can also discharge themselves early against the advice of a doctor because they are afraid to be hospitalized, to start a cycle of poor results and repeated admissions.

But there are also larger problems. "We know that heart health is improving with good education, secure employment, adequate housing and access to healthy, affordable food," said Mr. Turner. have run out of food in the last 12 months – in remote areas, up to 36%. People living in remote areas pay the highest prices for food, especially fresh fruits and vegetables that are hard to find.

"It is not a coincidence that many areas where hospitalization rates are the highest also have lower literacy rates and lower employment rates. as well as housing problems. It is difficult to prioritize your health when there are so many other difficulties. Turner said that smoking and obesity rates are higher in these areas and that many of them have entrenched economic and social problems. "

Across the country (detailed tables follow):

hospitalization rate between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians (almost 400%) .Western Australia also had five of the 10 regions reporting Largest gap.
The heart disease death rate was highest in Western Australia, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders dying from heart disease almost three times more than non-Aboriginal Western Australians.
Northern Territory had the highest rate of death from heart disease among Aboriginal peoples (175.1 per 100,000 population), compared to NSW, which had the lowest rate (119.9 per 100,000 population) Victoria had the lowest rate of change in hospital admission rate.
The difference in the death rate from heart disease was the lowest in South Australia, with even in this country, the risk of death from heart disease was 50% higher among Aboriginal people than among other Australians.

To combat current inequities in heart health, Mr. Turner said, "We want to work with communities, local Aboriginal medical services and health professionals, taking the time to listen and understand local issues that affect the heart health of communities. Our partners, including NACCHO, play a key role in this process.

Patricia Turner, CEO of NACCHO, said, "We know that local solutions exploit local strengths and wisdom. It is these local solutions that will be the only way to effectively address these complex issues that contribute to the outcomes for the heart health of aboriginals.

The Heart Foundation is collaborating with eighteen Australian hospitals on the Lighthouse Hospital project, which aims to: create culturally safe experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples when they are admitted to the hospital for heart problems.

Ms. Turner says, "In the end, the Heart Foundation believes that everyone should be able to live fully and in good health, no matter where. they live or whatever their cultural background. "

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