Pharmacy Daily | Voice for health

LATER this year, Australians will have the chance to change our Constitution and recognise the place of First Nations people in this country, stated the Federal Health Minister Mark Butler.

"Australians will get a chance to embrace that recognition through a voice to parliament, and I can't think of a more important area where we should listen to that voice than health," he explained.

"There are many health challenges that unarguably impact Indigenous Australians differently, and some others that are largely unknown to non-Indigenous Australians.

"Diseases like rheumatic heart disease, which was largely eradicated from developed countries more than 50 years ago, but remain common in Indigenous communities.

"It is a disease of grinding poverty," Butler said.

"An entirely preventable disease plaguing remote communities.

"But, with the best of intentions and with substantial investment, the current approach simply isn't working.

"In the few areas where it is working, it's not working fast enough," shared Butler.

"In health policy, there is no doubt in my mind, we need a new approach.

"I am confident that a Voice to the Parliament and to the health minister will help find better, more effective, practical ways to close the gap and allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to live longer, healthier, happier lives."