THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health
and Regional Services Delivery
16 August 2009
TURNING GOOD INTENTIONS INTO COORDINATED ACTION:
CSANZ CONFERENCE ON INDIGENOUS CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Practical solutions to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease in Indigenous Australians will
be discussed by national and international experts today and tomorrow in Sydney.
Addressing the Inaugural Indigenous Cardiovascular Health Conference, Minister for
Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, said Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders are
twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease as non-Indigenous Australian.
“Overall, cardiovascular disease contributes to 17% of the disease burden in Indigenous
Australians and it should be a matter of deep concern and national action that Indigenous
Australians have one of the highest rates of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
in the world,” Mr Snowdon said.
Major changes and reforms are now underway to tackle chronic disease, with an historic
commitment last year by the Council of Australian Governments to a $1.6 billion National
Partnership Agreement to Close the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes.
The Rudd Government's $805.5 million contribution to this agreement specifically aims to
target chronic disease, the single largest contributor to the current life expectancy gap.
Mr Snowdon said the meeting of experts and specialists in Indigenous cardiovascular disease
management and research comes at a critical juncture when the Government is implementing
its chronic disease package.
“Their advice and input will be invaluable into how the Rudd Government can address
cardiac disease risk factors, improve care and follow up, and expand the workforce training
and support,” Mr Snowdon said.
“We want the health system, from research to prevention, early detection and disease
management, to work better for Indigenous Australians.
“The Government can not close the life expectancy gap alone, and we can not do it without
reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease on Indigenous Australians,” he said.
“I look forward to seeing the practical ideas from this two-day conference, which I am
confident will give us useful means to address Indigenous cardiovascular disease.”
Media contact: Kate Sieper 02 6277 7427 and 0488 484 689.
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