Aboriginal Kids Health in the Territory Improving

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PDF printable version of Aboriginal Kids Health in the Territory Improving (PDF 253 KB)

29 November 2012

A new report has found the dental and hearing health of Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory is steadily improving as a result of health checks.

Minister for Indigenous Health Warren Snowdon today welcomed the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s final report on the Child Health Check Initiative, from August 2007 to June 2012, and said the Government has a put a strong focus on health in the new Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory package.

“The report shows that Aboriginal children are getting medical and dental attention and that their oral and ear health has improved considerably as a result,” Mr Snowdon said.

“The report found that 94 per cent of the children referred to a dental professional and almost 100 per cent of those referred to an ear health professional, had been seen.

“By June 2012 the proportion of children with at least one oral health problem had fallen by almost 12 percentage points, from 52.3 per cent to 40.6 per cent,” he said.

Among children who had two or more ear health checks, the incidence of hearing loss had fallen by 10 percentage points and the prevalence of middle ear conditions had dropped by 21 percentage points.

But the report also shows that there is a continuing high need for these services to ensure that Aboriginal children in the territory do not needlessly suffer from hearing loss or dental decay, Mr Snowdon said.

He said the report’s findings underscored the Government’s $713.5 million investment over 10 years for health services, including their oral and hearing health, as part of the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory package.

“The hearing and oral health components of the Stronger Futures package will emphasise better prevention.”

“A new network of Child Hearing Health Coordinators will strengthen the diagnosis and management of ear disease in primary care, while dental professionals will offer fluoride varnishes and fissure sealants.

“A recent trial found that fluoride varnish applications twice a year could reduce dental decay by 30 per cent among remote Aboriginal children.

“The Australian Government remains committed to reducing the health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian population and including children in remote areas of the NT,” Mr Snowdon said.

For more information, contact the Minister's Office on 02 6277 7820