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 HEALTH
Long-Term Health Conditions
Data collected during the 2004–05 NATSIHS revealed around two-thirds (65%) of Indigenous people reported at least one long-term condition. A long-term condition was defined in the survey as a medical condition (illness, injury or disability) which has lasted 6 months or more, or which the respondent expects to last for 6 months or more.
Indigenous people in remote areas were less likely to report a long-term health condition than those in non-remote areas (57% compared with 68% respectively).
The proportion of Indigenous people with at least one long-term health condition varied with age. Approximately 44% of Indigenous persons aged 0–14 years reported one or more long-term medical condition, compared to 97% of those aged 55 years and over.
Long-term health conditions, Indigenous persons by Age, 2004–05
Age group (years) | Number of long-term health conditions |
One | Two | Three or more | Total (one or more) |
 | % | % | % | % |
| 0–14 | 26 | 10 | 9 | 44 |
| 15–24 | 22 | 16 | 21 | 59 |
| 25–34 | 23 | 20 | 34 | 77 |
| 35–44 | 19 | 18 | 46 | 84 |
| 45–54 | 12 | 18 | 65 | 95 |
| 55 and over | 5 | 13 | 79 | 97 |
Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, Australia, 2004–05 (cat. no. 4715.0).
Long-term health conditions, Indigenous persons by Age, 2004–05
Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, Australia, 2004–05 (cat. no. 4715.0).
After adjusting for age differences between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, the percentage of people who reported at least one long-term health condition was similar across all age groups except 15-24 year olds. In this age group, a higher percentage of non-Indigenous persons reported at least one long term health condition (66% to 59%).
At least one long-term health condition,
by age, by Indigenous status and age, 2004–05
Age group (years) | Indigenous
% | Non-Indigenous
% |
| 0–14 | 44 | 41 |
| 15–24 | 59 | 66 |
| 25–34 | 77 | 77 |
| 35–44 | 84 | 81 |
| 45–54 | 95 | 95 |
| 55 and over | 97 | 99 |
Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, Australia, 2004–05 (cat. no. 4715.0).
At least one long-term health condition by age, by Indigenous status and age, 2004–05
Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, Australia, 2004–05 (cat. no. 4715.0).
Further Information: See National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, Australia, 2004–05 (cat. no. 4715.0).
Asthma
Diabetes
Kidney Disease
Heart and Circulatory Disease
Summary of Health Conditions
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This page last updated 1 April 2010 |
