Indigenous health survey released

A national health survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people found that they were more likely to have consulted health professionals - other than doctors or dentists - than other Australians. In remote areas, Aboriginal health care workers were consulted by 13% of the population.

More than one-in-10 (11%) Indigenous Australians aged 15 years and over had never visited a dentist - or other health professional - about their teeth. In remote areas almost a quarter had never visited a dentist, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics survey.

The State Government has announced a four-year $7 million partnership between Victorian health services and the Aboriginal community. The Government says the partnership aims to improve clinical care for Aborginal Victorians and co-ordinate approaches to health promotion planning, implementation and evaluation.