AMA Welcomes Blueprint on Health of Aboriginal Men

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, has welcomed the focus on the health of Aboriginal men with the release of the blueprint Male Health Futures for Generational Change.

Released by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the blueprint contains initiatives in national efforts to improve the health of Aboriginal men.

“Much of the health inequality between Aboriginal Australians and other Australians is due to the poor health and lower life expectancy of Aboriginal men,” Dr Hambleton said. “The NACCHO Blueprint outlines a set of practical and achievable proposals for the delivery of culturally appropriate comprehensive primary health care to Aboriginal men.

“The AMA urges governments to support these proposals with long-term funding. “The mental health of Aboriginal men must be a priority. “Programs and services that address emotional and social wellbeing and suicide prevention must be supported and enhanced.

“The AMA believes that mainstream health services should be attuned to the cultural needs of Aboriginal men. “In mainstream health services where there is a significant potential Aboriginal patient population, governments should fund appropriate facilities to accommodate the cultural needs of Aboriginal male patients.

“The AMA congratulates NACCHO for producing this Blueprint and for its ongoing commitment to improving the health of Aboriginal Australians,” Dr Hambleton said.