4727.0.55.003 - Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey: Biomedical Results, 2012-13  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 10/09/2014  First Issue
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THE STRUCTURE OF THE AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER HEALTH SURVEY

This publication is one of several ABS releases from the 2012–13 Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (AATSIHS) and is the first publication of biomedical results.

The AATSIHS combines the existing ABS National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS) with two new elements - a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NATSINPAS) and a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Measures Survey (NATSIHMS).

The following diagram shows how the various elements combine to provide comprehensive health information for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. The content for each component of the survey is listed along with the ages of respondents for which topics were collected.

Diagram showing the structure of the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey


As shown in the above diagram, the AATSIHS is made up of 3 components:
  • the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS);
  • the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NATSINPAS); and
  • the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Measures Survey (NATSIHMS)
All people selected in the AATSIHS were selected in either the NATSIHS or the NATSINPAS, however data items in the 'Core' were common to both surveys and therefore information for these data items is available for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons in the AATSIHS. All adults aged 18 years and over were then invited to participate in the voluntary NATSIHMS. This sample design allows comparisons across a wide range of information about people's health, as well as use of this information in the estimation process.

The NATSIHMS had approximately 3,300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants aged 18 years and over from across Australia, including discrete communities. Respondents voluntarily provided blood and urine samples, which were then analysed for specific chronic disease and nutrition biomarkers. See Appendix A for the full list of tests conducted.

For more information on the release schedule of AATSIHS products, see the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey: Users' Guide, 2012-13 (cat. no. 4727.0.55.002) and the Australian Health Survey: Users' Guide, 2011-13 (cat. no. 4363.0.55.001).