Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin
Vol 7 No 3 in progress July 2007 - September 2007: ISSN 1445-7253

A peer-reviewed electronic journal from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

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This section of the Bulletin contains information about major public events, new programs and relevant staff appointments. If you would like to contribute to this section, contact us.


One million dollars to fight chronic disease in Torres Strait

The following information has been adapted from information provided by the Queensland Government

The Queensland Health Minister, Stephen Robertson announced in late June that Queensland Health will invest more than $1 million this year to improve on the prevention and management of chronic disease in the Torres Strait. The announcement was made at a two day health summit on Thursday Island.

Since 1999, the number of people with diabetes has almost doubled to 1047 in the Torres Strait. Indigenous Australians in Queensland are five times more likely to suffer from chronic disease and have three times the rate of heart disease.

The funding will include:

  • $818, 528 for nine chronic disease positions, which include five additional child health workers, two health prevention officers and two clinical workers;
  • $120, 000 to establish programs to address frequent and avoidable hospital admissions;
  • $110, 000 for the Connecting Healthcare in Communities (CHIC) initiative in the Torres Strait.

Mr Robertson said the funding for the CHIC initiative will be used to set up a partnership council to improve access to preventative and primary health care services in the Torres Strait.

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Last updated: 27 September, 2007