Close+The+Gap+Day

Close the Gap is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led campaign which aims to achieve health equality between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians within one generation.

National Close the Gap Day is a way for all Australians to join together in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality and to remind our political leaders of their commitment to close the gap. It is also a way to make sure that the government works in genuine, meaningful partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people during the design and delivery of health services.

__**A little background Information **__

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People die on average between 10 and 17 years younger than non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies are between 2-3 times as likely to die before their first birthday as non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians continue to suffer from much higher rates of cardiovascular disease, respiratory dis­ease, pneumonia and diabetes, than other Australians.

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander urban and remote communities experience poor access to primary health care. Access can involve distance from ser­vices, lack of cultural appropriateness or the wrong type of service.

Australia is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, yet on average an Aboriginal child born today will still live for many years less than a non-Aboriginal child.

A lot of people look at third world countries and feel this great need to help. While it’s very important to help overseas, you only have to look at remote places in Australia and you’d think you were in the third world.

• The appointment of the first Federal Minister for Indigenous Health.

• Federal, state and territory governments (except Tasmania) signed the Close the Gap Statement of Intent (the NT have agreed but are yet to sign it).

• A political agreement to develop a National Indigenous Health Planin partnership with leading In­digenous health organisations.

• The development of a strong and ongoing partnership with the NRLwhich has already run three Close the Gap rounds.

• A growing public movement with a huge level of participation in National Close the Gap Day.

• In February 2008 came the long-awaited national apology to the Stolen Generations.

• In 2008, the Australian Government announced a $1.6 billion commitment to improve Indigenous health,the biggest ever injection of new funding for Indigenous health.

The NRL Closing the Gap
Rugby League was the first Australian sport to join the Close the Gap campaign to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Now, many League teams also participate in community outreach and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health related activities throughout the year.

The NRL’s involvement in the Close the Gap campaign came on the urging of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players. Although Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians make up less than 3% of the population, they make up more than 10% of current NRL players.

For the Close the Gap Round, the NRL takes additional steps to bring attention to the campaign. A number of teams play in jerseys with special Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designs. Others will feature Aboriginal speakers and performances during particular games.

Rugby League is a great platform to create awareness. Within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population there are literacy problems which create barriers. But if children can see a healthy example from a sporting role model, this can create awareness about eating properly and being active. For an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person to look at footballers, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait footballers, it sets goals. “If they can get there, why can’t I?” Most children are more inclined to listen to their sporting heroes.

What still needs to happen...


 * Work in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and develop a National Action Plan to achieve Indigenous health equality.


 * Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control and participation in the design, content and delivery of all policy & health services and issues that affect the health of their communities.


 * Address critical issues that also impact on health such as housing, education and self determination which contribute to the poor health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.