There is an alarming disparity between the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians and other Australians.

In many Indigenous communities across Australia, levels of poverty are comparable to those in some developing countries, with the life expectancy of Indigenous Australians 10 years less than that of all Australians. The mortality rate of Australia’s Indigenous infants is comparable to those of some developing countries.  
 
Indigenous Australians have fewer opportunities to maintain and improve their health and life situation than non-Indigenous Australians. They do not have the same access to employment, housing, medical services and education, nor are they equally engaged in our social and political systems.
 
Those who live in remote and isolated areas suffer the greatest disadvantage.
 
While there have been some improvements to Indigenous health over recent years, the disparity remains. It needn’t be this way and it has to change.
 
The Indigenous Program, funded by The Fred Hollows Foundation in Australia works to improve the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people in some of the most remote communities in Australia.  

Since 1999, the Indigenous program has partnered with local Indigenous organisations and Jawoyn communities in the region east of Katherine in the Northern Territory and is now extending this partnership to Katherine West and Western New South Wales.

Our work focuses on tackling the social determinants of poor health and supporting the work of Aboriginal-controlled organisations and health services.

Through a series of interrelated projects including nutrition, literacy, eye health, aural health, women’s health and workforce training, we are able to address the underlying causes of health inequity.