Closing the gap

The gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians is widening. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, this gap is currently around 8–9 years.

This gap exists for many reasons, including poor cultural awareness and responsiveness amongst non-Indigenous health workers. 

For some communities, particularly those in remote locations, access to appropriate and adequate health services poses an additional challenge.

Working together for better health outcomes

Close the Gap is a collective campaign launched in 2007 by some of Australia’s peak health bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and human rights organisations. Its goal: to achieve health and life expectation equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Close the Gap works to ensure the Australian government is addressing Indigenous health equity by working with communities and the Aboriginal health sector on community-informed priorities.

Crucially, Close the Gap recognises the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ self-determination in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, and that self-determination leads to better life outcomes.

What does self-determination look like?

In a statement, Close the Gap said: “Initiatives that recognise First Nations leadership, provide genuine opportunities for decision making, and strengthen and embed cultures will lead to positive sustainable improvements in health and wellbeing outcomes.”

The Medibank Better Health Foundation supports Menzies HealthLAB, an innovative fly-in, fly-out mobile health lab serving remote areas in the Northern Territory to deliver better health education and access, together with remote Aboriginal communities.

Mark Mayo, Menzies HealthLAB Associate Deputy Director of Indigenous Leadership and Engagement, said: “Self-determination for First Nations people of Australia is something we hold in our hearts. Being active participants in decision making processes and having the right to make decisions that affect our lives is fundamental for current and future generations. It will enable us to overcome structural disadvantage and inequality in our society.”

What needs to happen to close the gap?

The Close the Gap campaign has made some progress. For example, since the campaign was launched in 2007, the number of Indigenous health workers in Australia has increased, and there have been more Indigenous Australians accessing primary healthcare services.

Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go to achieve the health equity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This requires sustained commitment and investment from all levels of government, as well as from the wider community and a deeper understanding of how cultural safety in health services impacts health outcomes. It also requires a willingness to listen to and learn from Indigenous communities, who are the experts in their own health and wellbeing.

To close the gap, governments, health services and communities must work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on priorities that they themselves have identified. Issues like access to housing, education pathways and economic participation — as well as improved access to quality, community-informed healthcare services and resources that meet the unique needs of Indigenous communities. This will require a long-term, collaborative approach that is grounded in respect, trust, and cultural safety.

What can individuals do to support change?

Help raise awareness for health equality and join thousands of Australians on 16 March 2023 by getting involved in National Close the Gap Day.

To learn more about the health gap and what can be done, read the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Close the Gap Progress and Priorities Report.

Find out more about Close the Gap.

Medibank proudly recognises the Aboriginal community controlled health sector and its work leading the way in closing the health gap. Our Reconciliation Action Plan sets out our commitments to play our role in advancing reconciliation and Indigenous health equity. Find out more.

You can also read more about health research at Medibank, including Medibank's support of the Menzies HealthLAB.