National Close the Gap Day – on Thursday, 16 March – highlights the campaign to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.
The gap refers to the vast health and life-expectation inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
This inequality includes:
- shorter life expectancy
- higher rates of infant mortality
- poorer health
- lower levels of education and employment
SWSPHN works to close the gap by supporting our community to live healthier and longer lives through prevention and better management of chronic diseases.
Find out more about our workWe also hold cultural awareness training for general practice, including upcoming face-to-face sessions in Mittagong on Tuesday, 28 March and Warwick Farm on Thursday, 27 April.
The training aims to equip GPs, practice nurses, practice managers, and other practice staff, with the knowledge and tools to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in general practice settings.
It will include:
- Historical impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- How to apply a culturally appropriate communication style
- A whole of practice approach to providing a culturally-safe environment
- Appropriate identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Conducting a 715
- Identify relevant Medicare items for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people