Australia's peak Indigenous and non-Indigenous health bodies, NGOs and human rights organisations are working together to achieve equality in health and life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Close the Gap Campaign aims to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation. The campaign is built on evidence that shows significant improvements in the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can be achieved by 2030. In February 2018 we released the Close the Gap: 10 Year Review. The review examines why Australian governments have not succeeded in closing the health gap, and why they will not succeed by 2030 if the current course continues. Our objectivesWe aim to close the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health gap. We want to do this by implementing a human rights based approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. In 2007, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) set measurable targets to track and assess developments in the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. These targets include achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality within a generation and halving the mortality rate gap for children under five years old within a decade. In March 2008, the then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd and the Opposition Leader at that time, Brendan Nelson, signed the Close the Gap Statement of Intent at the Close the Gap Campaign’s National Indigenous Health Equality Summit. The Close the Gap Statement of Intent is the touchstone of the Close the Gap campaign. When the Australian Government signed the Statement of Intent it committed to a sound, evidence-based path to achieving health equality, a path supported by the entire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector. The Close the Gap Statement of Intent includes a commitment to:
Who are we?The Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee first met in March 2006. Our patrons, Catherine Freeman OAM and lan Thorpe OAM, launched the Campaign in April 2007. To date, almost 200,000 Australians have formally pledged their support. The members of the Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee are: Co-Chairs
Members
Close the Gap ReportsIn 2009, the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd committed to making an annual report to Parliament on progress on closing the gap. Every year, the Close the Gap Steering Committee publishes a report that details the Australian Government's progress in closing the gap. Get involved! Close the Gap Day - 17 March 2022The Close the Gap campaign has achieved a lot amount since its launch in 2006, but we need continued support from all corners of the Australian community to make it a success. Each year, National Close the Gap Day is acknowledged in workplaces, hospitals, schools and communities around Australia. Anyone can take part and make a difference. Join with over 220,000 other Australians and pledge your support to the ‘close the gap’ SubscribeJoin the electronic mailing list and keep up to date with the latest news.
The Australian Government COVID-19 vaccination program began on 22 February 2021. NCIRS, the Australian Government Department of Health, and states and territories have developed a range of resources to keep healthcare professionals up to date with the latest information. International organisations such as the World Health Organization have also created video and podcast explainers about COVID-19. This page provides links to relevant resources.
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