The Medical journal of Australia
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With community involvement, research can be a powerful tool for closing the gap in Indigenous health disparity.
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Respect, tolerance and trust in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are needed from government to improve the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians.
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To document rates of serious injuries in relation to government alcohol restrictions in remote Australian Indigenous communities. ⋯ The absolute and the proportional rates of serious-injury retrievals fell significantly as government restrictions on legal access to alcohol increased; they are now at their lowest recorded level in 15 years.
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To evaluate the contribution of non-traditional risk factors to coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence in Indigenous adults. ⋯ High prevalence of glycaemia and albuminuria in this population, especially when combined, account for much of the excess CHD risk beyond the traditional Framingham risk factors. They can be measured simply, lend themselves to cardioprotective interventions, and should be used routinely to estimate risk and monitor effectiveness of treatment.
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The Australian Health Survey will deliver key health measures for all Australian children and adults, and collect information across Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has consulted widely on the development of the Survey, and has shaped the survey according to strong and consistent advice in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is hoped that this approach will maximise survey response rates and place us in good trust to embark on the next survey round.