In 2008, the Council of Australian Governments agreed to a $1.6 billion National Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes to fund a broad package of initiatives addressing the target of closing the life expectancy gap within a generation. Under the ‘Closing the Gap – Improving Indigenous Access to Mainstream Primary Care’ Program, we are funded by the Federal Government to work towards improving access to culturally sensitive and appropriate primary healthcare services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in metropolitan Adelaide and Yorke and Mid North South Australia.

What is a Chronic Disease?
A Chronic Disease is a disease that you have for a long time and which may affect your ability to do your daily tasks. This can include cancer, diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, heart disease and lung disease. Changes to lifestyle
over the last 100 years have meant that chronic diseases are very common and now cause most of the burden of poor health.

Am I at risk of developing a Chronic Disease?
As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, you may be at higher risk that non-Aboriginal people of developing a chronic disease. Better management of chronic diseases is a key factor in meeting the target
of closing the gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

How do we help you to improve the prevention and management of your chronic disease?

Care Coordination
The nurses in the Care Coordination Program will work with you and your GP to help better manage your chronic disease and to help you to get better access to specialists, allied health workers and other community services. Our
nurses will help you understand your health concerns, give you guidance to find the best care and provide you with the tools to manage your chronic disease well enough to avoid hospitalisation.
Outreach Workers
Our Aboriginal Health outreach workers will work with you to break down the barriers that are stopping you from living a healthy life. They will link you into community support groups and agencies, help you to attend appointments, come with you to appointments should you need this and they will work with health providers to make them more aware of your cultural needs.

How do I get Closing the Gap scripts?
You can register for Closing the Gap Scripts if:
• You are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• You see a doctor at a registered GP Practice on the Indigenous Health Practice Incentive Program or an Aboriginal Health Service.
• You have an existing chronic disease or are at risk of developing a chronic disease.

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Closing the Gap: Indigenous Health