 HEALTH
Long-term Health Conditions
Kidney Disease
According to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, 2% of the Indigenous population was affected by kidney disease. In remote areas the percentage was 3% while in non-remote areas it was 1%.
However this survey may underestimate the prevalence of kidney disease as it only collects information from private dwellings. Any person who is hospitalised is not included and kidney disease accounts for around one-third of all hospital admissions of Indigenous people (see The Health and Welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2008, cat. no. 4704.0)
The prevalence of kidney disease amongst the Indigenous population increased with age, from less than 1% in the 0–14 years age group to 7% of those aged 55 years and over.
After adjusting for age differences, rates of kidney disease were much higher in the Indigenous population than in the non-Indigenous population. Overall, Indigenous people were ten times more likely to experience kidney disease than non-Indigenous people.
The incidence of kidney disease in the non-Indigenous population is too small to be accurately measured by age groups.
Prevalence of Kidney disease, Indigenous persons by Age, 2004–05
 | Indigenous |
Age group (years) | % |
| 0–14 | * _ |
| 15–24 | * 2 |
| 25–34 | 2 |
| 35–44 | 2 |
| 45–54 | 4 |
| 55 and over | 7 |
* estimate should be used with caution.
_ rounded to zero.
Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, Australia, 2004–05 (cat. no. 4715.0).
Prevalence of Kidney disease, Indigenous persons by Age, 2004–05
Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, Australia, 2004–05 (cat. no. 4715.0)
Further Information:
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, Australia, 2004–05 (cat. no. 4715.0)
Media Release: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Report (source: cat no. 4715)
The Health and Welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2008 (cat. no. 4704.0)
Asthma
Diabetes
Kidney Disease
Heart and Circulatory Disease
Summary of Health Conditions
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