Chronic Disease

The prevalence of chronic disease amongst Indigenous Australians is significantly greater than that of non-Indigenous Australians, such that the life expectancy of Indigenous Australians is almost 20 years less than that of non-Indigenous Australians.

Chronic disease is a relatively broad term, but the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare provides the following list of elements in defining:

• Have complex and multiple causes
• Usually have a gradual onset, although they can have sudden onset and acute stages
• Occur across the life-cycle, although they become more prevalent with older age
• Can compromise quality of life through physical limitations and disability
• Are long term and persistent, leading to a gradual deterioration of health
• While usually not immediately life threatening, they are the most common and leading cause of premature death.

Generally, there is no definite cure for chronic diseases.

Understanding this, and with funding provided by the Federal Government through the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health as part of the “Healthy for Life” initiative, we have established a dedicated Chronic Disease Program.

The Program is staffed by two specialist clinicians - a Chronic Disease Aboriginal Health Worker, and a Registered Nurse – while one of our General Practitioners attend the chronic disease clinics which occur regularly.

It is important to note that a number of major chronic diseases are preventable or able to have their onset delayed, while others, which may not be currently preventable, can have their progression slowed and associated risks reduced. To achieve such outcomes, there needs to be an increased understanding of the risk factors for chronic disease, including poor health in early childhood, smoking, alcohol and substance misuse, poor diet and nutrition, physical inactivity, excess weight, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol.

For this reason, the Program places enormous emphasis on developing preventative strategies revolving around health promotion and education.

Early detection strategies are also emphasised by the Program, and well-persons health checks play a large role in this. They are conducted at various levels. At an individual level, all clinical staff take the opportunity to undertake the well-persons check as clients visit the clinic or one of the program areas. At a population level, planned screening days target groups which are deemed to be at higher risk, with checks undertaken within the community as appropriate.

Obviously, there are those who have already been diagnosed as having a chronic disease, and these individuals need to be managed. To this end, Care Plans are developed, tailored to individual requirements.

An important aspect of the Program is the Patient Information Recall System, which assists in ensuring that clients are provided with the follow up treatment as required.