Demanding a better deal for Indigenous health

Close the Gap

Photo exhibition by Oxfam Australia

Waterfront Place foyer

Eagle Street, Brisbane

Until June 29

Close the Gap is a nationally touring photographic exhibition featuring compelling images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians that aims to highlight that health equality can be achieved within a generation. Images include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in cities, towns and remote regions around Australia where partner organisations of Oxfam Australia are working to deliver culturally appropriate health services.

The exhibition aims to show examples of a number of successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health programs. It also aims to highlight how greater support is needed to expand provision of culturally appropriate services in order to close the gap on major health inequalities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians.

Currently the gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians is 17 years. Oxfam Australia is calling for federal, state and territory governments to allocate an extra $460 million annually in order to provide equal access to the primary health services for Indigenous Australians.

There are examples all around the country of successful programs that are making progress towards health equality — with the Australian community and government providing the will, commitment and funding to make a difference it is possible to turn around the current health crisis.

From GLW issue 715