Cancer Cancer is a term used for a variety of diseases that cause damage to the cells of the body [24363]. Normally cells grow and multiply in a controlled way, but cancer causes cells to grow and multiply in an uncontrolled way. If these damaged cells spread into surrounding areas or to different parts of the body, they are known as malignant. Some cancers can be treated, but the effectiveness of treatment and survival rates may vary between different types of cancer [24363][44306]. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience inequities in cancer outcomes due to various social, environmental and commercial determinants of health, alongside the on-going impacts of colonisation. Although Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are aware of many behavioural risk factors associated with cancer, such as consuming an inadequate diet, alcohol consumption and smoking [47950], engaging in these risks can be driven by social factors such as racism and discrimination [49154][47115]. To improve cancer outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer plan advocates for: shared decision-making and partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations an adequate, stable, well-trained and well-resourced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce community-led, culturally informed, place-based health promotion initiatives, including activities that increase cancer screening rates culturally safe health services and continuity of care a culturally informed evidence base to help inform decision-making [47950]. The Sector strengthening plan for health aims to improve the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health sector (CCHS) through strategic actions and partnerships, with the aim to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities [50688]. One of the key objectives is to build collaborations between the CCHS and government to address the inequality of health (including cancer) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. References Bowel cancerBreast cancerCervical cancerLung cancerProstate cancerRisk and protective factorsPrevention and managementCultural perspectives Key resources calculating...Publicationscalculating...Policiescalculating...Resourcescalculating...Programscalculating...Organisations Workforce information calculating...Coursescalculating...Eventscalculating...Fundingcalculating...Jobs Sign me up to the Cancer newsletter Cancer View newsletter archivesSign up to other newsletters Stay connected Newsletter
Kidney Health The kidneys clean blood and filter waste out through urine [28715]. They also process excess fluid and unwanted chemicals, regulate blood pressure and manage the body’s production of vitamin D [41199]. If the kidneys stop working properly, waste can build up in the body and negatively impact a person’s health. This may lead to kidney disease [28715] which can be acute (short term) or chronic (life-long). Chronic kidney disease is the most common form of kidney disease and can lead to kidney failure [28715]. Diabetes is the main cause of kidney disease, accounting for over a third of new cases. There is also strong link between kidney disease and hypertension (high blood pressure). Other causes include immune diseases, congenital conditions and genetic disorders [28715]. Kidney disease is a serious health issue for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly in remote areas [52807]. The hospitalisation and mortality rates for kidney disease are high among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [44858][41038], however recent statistics show that mortality rates for the disease are declining [44858]. References Chronic kidney diseaseEnd-stage kidney diseaseAssociated conditionsRisk and protective factorsPrevention and management Key resources calculating...Publicationscalculating...Policiescalculating...Resourcescalculating...Programscalculating...Organisations Workforce information calculating...Coursescalculating...Eventscalculating...Fundingcalculating...Jobs Sign me up to the Kidney Health Kidney Health View newsletter archivesSign up to other newsletters Stay connected Newsletter
Diabetes Diabetes is a chronic disease marked by high levels of glucose in the blood, caused by the pancreas not producing enough insulin or not being able to use the insulin effectively, or both [44997]. There are several types of diabetes. The most frequently occurring are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) [45520]. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in people aged under 30 years but can develop at any age. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and is largely preventable by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. GDM is a form of diabetes that can occur in pregnancy [29667]. Diabetes can cause life-threatening complications [44997], which can occur within months of diagnosis, or may develop over several years [28843]. Type 2 diabetes occurs at earlier ages for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [44997] and is often undetected and untreated [30593]. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with diabetes tend to have higher levels of risk factors such as smoking [44997][31982][45876] and may show signs of other chronic conditions, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), liver disease and anaemia [28856]. As such, reducing its impact among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is one of the key goals of the Australian national diabetes strategy 2021-2030 [44185]. References Pre-diabetesType 2 diabetesType 1 diabetesGestational diabetesDiabetes complicationsPrevention and managementRisk and protective factorsFoot health Key resources calculating...Publicationscalculating...Policiescalculating...Resourcescalculating...Programscalculating...Organisations Workforce information calculating...Coursescalculating...Eventscalculating...Fundingcalculating...Jobs Sign me up to the Diabetes newsletter Diabetes View newsletter archivesSign up to other newsletters Stay connected Newsletter
Cardiovascular Health Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a term used to describe all of the major diseases of the heart and circulatory system, including: coronary (ischaemic) heart disease heart failure stroke peripheral vascular disease rheumatic heart disease (RHD) [47204][47205]. CVD is a substantial problem for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community [44825]. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people report that they have CVD and it is a major cause of hospitalisation [42101]. CVD is also one of the leading causes of death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Many of the cardiovascular diseases share risk factors, such as: tobacco smoking physical inactivity poor nutrition alcohol consumption being overweight and obese high blood pressure (hypertension) high blood cholesterol diabetes [47204][31188]. Other risk factors include socioeconomic and psychosocial factors. The exception is RHD (including acute rheumatic fever), which is associated with poor living conditions. A number of actions have been identified that would improve cardiovascular disease rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [32583]. These actions include strategic advocacy, increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in primary and tertiary health services, improving communication between health providers, defining and overcoming barriers to cardiac specialist care in regional and remote settings, establishing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander CVD coordinator positions in tertiary hospitals, and ensuring that programs are culturally sensitive and integrated. References Coronary heart diseaseStrokeAcute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart diseaseRisk and protective factorsHospital care and cardiac rehabilitationPrimary health care Key resources calculating...Publicationscalculating...Policiescalculating...Resourcescalculating...Programscalculating...Organisations Workforce information calculating...Eventscalculating...Coursescalculating...Fundingcalculating...Jobs Sign me up to the Cardiovascular Health newsletter Heart Health View newsletter archivesSign up to other newsletters Stay connected Newsletter
Respiratory Health Respiratory diseases are conditions that affect the airways, including the lungs and the passages that carry air from the mouth and nose to the lungs [31104]. Common respiratory diseases among Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease [42101]. People who experience respiratory diseases may have symptoms of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and a cough. Nearly one third of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a respiratory condition [39231]. There is a high prevalence of respiratory disease among Aboriginal children [45897], which is attributed to risk factors associated with social determinants of health [49118]. Culturally appropriate communication and health services are required to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel comfortable to participate in prevention and treatment services for respiratory diseases [42101]. References AsthmaBronchiectasisChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseLung cancerPneumoniaInfluenzaRisk and protective factorsPrevention and management Key resources calculating...Publicationscalculating...Policiescalculating...Resourcescalculating...Programscalculating...Organisations Workforce information calculating...Coursescalculating...Eventscalculating...Fundingcalculating...Jobs Sign me up to the Respiratory Health Respiratory View newsletter archivesSign up to other newsletters Stay connected Newsletter
