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Report shows life expectancy gap is not closing

Nicola KalmarBroome Advertiser
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Indigenous life expectancy rates remain 10 years behind the rest of the population, according to the latest Close the Gap report.

The Federal Government released the eighth annual report earlier this month, which showed varied progress had been made across the seven health, education and employment targets.

The target to halve the gap in indigenous child mortality by 2018 was on track, as was halving the gap in Year 12 attainment rates by 2020.

However, the report showed there had been no improvement in closing the gap in life expectancy between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, with the target not on track to be met by 2031.

There had also been little change in the indigenous school attendance rate from 2014 (83.5 per cent) to 2015 (83.7 per cent).

Meanwhile, the report showed the target to halve the gap in employment outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians by 2018 was not on track to be met.

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services chief executive Vicki O'Donnell said the findings of the latest report were disappointing, but not surprising.

"One key thing that needs to be done is that State and Federal governments and oppositions need to agree on key solutions and then implement them," she said.

"No more chopping and changing. No more new funds followed by big cuts later.

"All parties need to agree on what works, then agree to fund it for decent lengths of time and for quite predictable amounts of money."

Meanwhile, Boab Health Services will hold a community event next month to mark National Close the Gap's 10-year anniversary from 9am-1pm at Male Oval on March 17.

The event will be held to raise awareness of the gap in health and life expectancy between indigenous and non-indigenous people.

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