First Nations health surveys on their way

BY CARLI WILLIS

For the first time in a decade three national surveys of Australia’s First Nations people by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) are underway, and on their way to the Torres Strait.

ABS teams were working across the country to conduct The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS), The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NATSINPAS) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Measures Survey (NATSIHMS).

The teams were set to start in Gimuy/Cairns this month and Townsville in September.

ABS Centre of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics

Director Shonella Tatipata said the teams would also come to survey Waiben and as many outer islands as possible.

“We employ local people as community advisors, people that can speak the local language, as well as helping that conversation around the initial approach with the door knocking,” she said.

ABS staff would start with door knocking homes to determine if there were First Nations people present before arranging a time to sit down and international stage.

EMRIP’s theme for 2023 was ‘Indigenous Peoples, human health, planetary and territorial health and climate change: a rights-based approach’

Mr Martin said he referenced the Australian Climate Case in his address to the conference.

“You’re trying to say that you’ve got dominion over these over these particular islands, so you’ve got dominion over these particular people,” he said.

“But that dominion comes with that particular responsibility.” conduct the survey.

He also referenced his father’s country where people were criminalised for fishing for abalone, a practice, he said, which was also at risk from climate change.

“We want to make sure that our interests and that our particular situation, is conveyed to the international community from our lens and our perspective,” he said.

“The surveys are focused on essentially, understanding the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” she said.

“Really trying to understand or learn more about treatment and prevention of health and chronic health needs. [We] look at how has it changed since the last time these surveys were run and what’s important for them currently, in terms of their health needs.”

She said the Health Measures Survey (NATSIHMS) was last carried out in 2013 and included a voluntary blood and urine collection component.

Ms Tatipata said the the data collected at the time helped governments make a decision to lower the cardiovascular screening age for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 40- to 30-years of age.

She said it also helped to inform the Australian National Diabetes Strategy.

“We don’t address all areas of closing the gap, but we’re a key resource for that framework as well,” she said.

“It’s an opportunity for community to tell government, what their changing priorities for health and their chronic health needs are.” provides academic or vocational pathways and the best possible employment opportunities.

The ABS said the surveys should be completed by the end of December and data was expected to be released by the end of 2024.

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What’s On IN TORRES SHIRE

To Lead, Provide and Facilitate a sustainable, safe and culturally vibrant community.

Meetings & Events AUGUST 2023

Tuesday 15 August Ordinary Council Meeting

Tuesday 15 August OBON Festival

Wednesday 23 August First Torres Strait Councillors Meeting at Masig – Special Holiday

Torres Strait Community Sport And Recreation Program

Torres Shire Council in collaboration with Department of Tourism, Innovation, Sports and Recreation currently administers the Torres Strait Community Sports and Recreation Program (TSCSRP).

Under the TSCSRP there is funding opportunities through ‘Participation Program’ to support community members, local sports club, individuals who reside in the Torres Shire Local Government Area to travel and participate in physical activities, sporting events.

Participation Program – Funding Round