PRESS RELEASE: Australian Health Review: New collection – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

The Australian Health Review has released a new collection of articles focused on the health and wellbeing of First Nations Australians, ‘Beyond Closing the Gap’.

‘This collection highlights the pressing health challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, while also showcasing policy and service innovations aimed at improving health outcomes and equity,’ says Dr Sonĵ Hall, Editor-in-Chief of Australian Health Review.

Featured Policy Reflections explore key issues, including the ongoing failure to address the impacts of social determinants of health for First Nations Australians.

In her Policy Reflection, Dr Alicia Veasey, a proud Torres Strait Islander woman, obstetrician and gynaecologist, reasons that Australia’s failure to address social and political determinants of health stems from short-term political interests and a reluctance to share power with communities—particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples—hindering progress towards health equity.

Dr Veasey calls for a human rights-based approach, long-term commitment, and shared decision-making with communities to address health inequities effectively.

The research articles featured in this collection examine a range of critical health issues and innovative responses, including workforce and training, value-based health care, equity in clinical trials, and hospital care for chronic conditions.

‘The breadth of topics covered in this collection represents just some of the work happening across the health sector to improve health and wellbeing, and, importantly, the outcomes that matter to people and communities,’ Dr Hall continues.

‘At the same time, it highlights where the system is falling short. To address the equity gaps for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we must fully acknowledge these shortcomings—including the lack of inclusion and co-design in implementing models of care.’

‘These findings contribute to vital and ongoing policy discussions and reinforce the need for culturally safe, community-led healthcare models if we are to collectively move towards closing the health equity gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.’

The Australian Health Review is the Australian Healthcare and Hospital Association’s peer-reviewed journal. It explores major national and international health issues and questions. Topics include all aspects of health policy and management, healthcare delivery systems, clinical programs, health financing and other matters of interest to those working in health care.