Third National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy released

The Minister for Indigenous Health, Mr Warren Snowden, has launched the Third National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2010 - 2013. The launch took place at one of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) member services in Brisbane.

The Strategy highlights ongoing challenges in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities relating to sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs). These include the high rates of bacterial STIs, acquisition of HIV and viral hepatitis through injecting drug use and the incidence of HIV infections among men who have sex with men. New areas of priority have been identified in the Strategy including: a focus on testing, treatment and follow-up; primary prevention activities; young people; and workforce development intiatives.

This Strategy is one of a set of five national strategies aimed at reducing the transmission of STIs and BBVs, and the morbidity, mortality and personal and social impacts they can have.

Contacts

Department of Health and Ageing
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
Ph: (02) 6289 1555
Freecall: 1800 020 103
Email: enquiries@health.gov.au

Links

• View report: Third national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections strategy 2010 – 2013 (PDF - 133.8 KB)
• View resource: Sexual health: Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
• View information: Third national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections strategy 2010 – 2013
• View media release: Better sexual health
• View media release: Vigilance and workers key to new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy [NACCHO] (PDF - 82.8 KB)
• View website: Department of Health and Ageing
• View website: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
• View website: The University of New South Wales