Indigenous Health Profile

Understanding the health profile of Indigenous persons is essential to making sense of the overall rural health profile. Indigenous Australians experience poorer health than other individuals. But while the higher proportion of Indigenous persons in rural and remote areas does contribute to poorer outcomes of rural and remote populations overall, it does not completely account for all differences. That is, the differences between urban and rural health profiles cannot be wholly attributed to the poorer health outcomes of Indigenous persons.

Some of the key Indigenous health differentials are highlighted below.

Health status and outcomes

• The mortality rate for indigenous persons is more than 3 times higher than for non-indigenous persons in major cities (QLD, WA, SA and NT)
• Compared with populations in major cities, Indigenous persons are more likely to report chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, asthma)
   

Determinants of health

Compared with all people in major cities, Indigenous persons are:

• Less likely to eat recommended amounts of fruit
• More likely to report risky or high risk levels of alcohol consumption
• Twice as likely to report daily smoking