THE health of the Hunter’s Aboriginal population is at some of its worst levels in a decade despite millions of taxpayer dollars going towards special programs and numerous public services devoted to indigenous health.
The gap between the region’s Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities has grown wider in areas including chronic disease, infant morbidity, smoking and alcohol-related hospital admissions.
The Hunter New England area health service has the state’s largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, with 34,521 residents – almost a quarter of NSW’s total 162,177 – the most recent estimates from 2010 show.
A Newcastle Herald review of health data from the past 10 years shows smoking-related hospital admissions increased by almost 50per cent for Aboriginal residents, going from three to four times the rates for non-Aboriginal residents.
Diabetes-related hospital admissions almost doubled in the Aboriginal population, going from double to triple the rates for non-Aboriginal residents.
Admissions attributed to alcohol increased by about 30per cent in the Aboriginal population.
While increases were also recorded in the non-Aboriginal population, the indigenous rates were still about three times higher.
An Aboriginal Health Plan 2007-2011 lists 28 Aboriginal-specific services Hunter New England Health provides in areas ranging from maternal and infant support to drug and alcohol services and care for chronic conditions.
Additional programs targeting obesity, immunisation, housing, renal disease and mental health are detailed, with funding totalling about $3.4million.
University of Newcastle researcher Kym Rae, who works in the indigenous health area, said governments had invested a lot of money but perhaps had not sought proper community interest in health services and projects.
‘‘If you want a program to work, you have to get the community committed and behind it as well,’’ she said.
Hunter New England Health is now encouraging indigenous people to take up programs and is doing community outreach work.
Focus areas include low birth weights in babies and chronic disease in adults.
Aboriginal health director Tony Martin said mothers were encouraged to bring their babies for regular health checks, up to age four.
Information and advice was provided on breastfeeding, oral hygiene, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome prevention, child safety and anti-smoking strategies.
Teams of midwives, Aboriginal health workers and education officers were working in the community.
Mr Martin said outreach work provided services and encouraged self-care in adults with chronic disease.
‘‘Our goal is to improve the client journey of Aboriginal people with diabetes, cardiac, renal and respiratory disease,’’ he said.
Programs included those supporting health professionals to deliver services in the community.
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