LONG-TERM HEALTH CONDITIONS

A long-term health condition is one that is medical in origin and lasts for six months or more. Long-term health conditions that are responsible for much of the ill health experienced by Indigenous people include circulatory diseases, diabetes, respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal conditions, kidney disease, and also eye and ear problems.

Among Indigenous males, the pattern for reporting at least one long-term health condition increased with age and was highest for the 55 and over age group (96%).

Indigenous males living in remote areas were less likely to report a long-term health condition than Indigenous males living non-remote (53% compared to 66%).

When comparing Indigenous males to non-Indigenous males, the rates for reporting at least one long-term health condition were similar. Non-Indigenous males had only slightly higher rates than Indigenous males for most ages, except for the 35 to 44 group.