INDIGENOUS Australians continue to face a substantially higher disease burden than non-Indigenous Australians, but some improvements have been seen, with more possible, according to a new report released on Fri by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The report revealed what the Heart Foundation called "disturbing burden of disease figures", given that "Indigenous Australians experience a burden of disease that is 2.3 times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians."
Chronic diseases caused 64% of the overall burden among Indigenous Australians, with mental & substance use disorders accounting for 19% followed by injuries including suicide (15%), cardiovascular diseases (12%), cancer (9%) and respiratory diseases (8%).
Total burden of disease in the Indigenous population fell by 5%, with an 11% reduction in the fatal burden, the report said.
CLICK HERE to access the report.
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