Health Checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander over 75s
Indigenous people have a higher incidence of illness and higher mortality rate than other Australians, therefore regular health checks are a priority to help to reduce and prevent serious illness by early detection and treatment.

Health checks are available each year, to all persons who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, regardless of age. However, the over 75 health check for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients is considered to be over 55 check. For further information please see Department of Health and Ageing:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mbsprimarycare_ATSI_MBSitem715

Chronic diseases are much more common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The health check is available every year for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 years and over. These are carried out by GPs and Aboriginal community-controlled health services. The purpose of this health check is to ensure all Indigenous people receive optimum level of health care. Preventive health care, education and other assistance should be offered:

• To encourage early detection and diagnosis of common and treatable diseases
• To reduce the incidence of common and treatable diseases that cause considerable morbidity and early mortality

As a marker for NAIDOC week ask yourself:

• Do I identity Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as part of my own practice?
• How do the Aged Care Health Services identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients?
• Do my patients in RACFs get flagged by the facility?
• Do I ask the question at the Over 55 health check?
• Do I conduct annual health check for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?

Happy closing the Gap!