CHILD HEALTH


General health

In 2014–15, the majority (83%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–14 years had their health rated as excellent or very good, up from 79% in 2008. There was a corresponding decrease in the proportion of children who were said to be in good health (18% in 2008 compared with 13% in 2014–15), while the proportion of children who had their health rated as fair or poor remained at 4% (Table 8).

Eyes, ears and teeth

Eye health can be affected by a range of factors, such as genetics, premature birth, diseases, injuries, UV exposure and nutrition. The 2014–15 NATSISS collected information on the eye and sight problems of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, including: difficulty reading or seeing up close (long sightedness); difficulty seeing far away (short sightedness); partial or total blindness; glaucoma; cataracts; and lazy eye. Around one in eight (13%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 4–14 years had eye or sight problems in 2014–15, up from 9% in 2008. Children in non-remote areas were more likely than those in remote areas to have eye or sight problems (14% compared with 6%) (Figure 7.3.1 and Table 7).

Ear infections have been associated with hearing loss, which can lead to learning and developmental difficulties in children. The 2014–15 NATSISS collected information on ear and hearing problems in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, including: partial or total deafness; ringing in ears (tinnitus); runny ears or glue ear (otitis media); and tropical ear or swimmer's ear (otitis externa). One in 10 (10%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 4–14 years had ear or hearing problems, with no statistically significant difference in the rates for non-remote and remote areas. Between 2008 and 2014–15, there was no change in the proportion of children aged 4–14 years who experienced ear or hearing problems (Figure 7.3.1 and Table 7).

Teeth and gum problems, such as tooth decay, missing teeth and gum disease can cause pain and discomfort, and may affect eating, speaking and sleeping. The 2014–15 NATSISS collected information on teeth and gum problems in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, including: holes or decay; fillings; pulled teeth; broken or missing teeth; and bleeding or sore gums. The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 4–14 years who had teeth or gum problems was 34% in 2014–15, a decrease from 39% in 2008. Children in non-remote areas were more likely than those in remote areas to have had teeth or gum problems (37% compared with 25%) (Figure 7.3.1 and Table 7).

Figure 7.3.1. Selected health problems(a) — 2008 and 2014–15