Uncontrollable Factors

Age

Gender

Family History

Ethnicity

Age

Unfortunately as we age we become more susceptible to developing chronic health conditions and certain types of cancer. The age-related risk for varies between conditions. Pay special attention if you have a family history of a particular condition or if you have known risk factors. It is never too late to modify your lifestyle to reduce your risk. If you have the health screenings recommended for your age, it is less likely a condition will go undetected. Detecting chronic health conditions early, means they are usually easier to treat, and can save your life.

Gender

Gender can have some influence on the risks of developing certain health conditions. Males generally have lower life spans than females, so it doesn’t swing in our favour. Research shows half of men die prematurely, so it is our ignorance of health conditions which is proving to be the risk factor (34).

Family History

If you have a family history of a particular condition your likelihood of developing it is increased. This is because you may be carrying a gene which makes you more susceptible. You might also share lifestyle habits and/or traits with family members who are affected. These can include:

• High fat, low fibre, high salt diet

• Not consuming two fruit and five vegetables everyday

• Lack of physical activity

• Sun exposure with no skin protection

• Alcohol consumption above recommended guidelines

• Smoking cigarettes or exposure to passive smoking

Ethnicity

• Increased health risk due to lifestyle choices

• Mental Health

• Socioeconomic Disadvantage

• Mortality Rates

• Leading Causes of Mortality for Indigenous Australians

Your ethnic background can also increase your risk of developing certain health conditions. For example, Indigenous Australians (Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander People) have assessed their health as much poorer than non-Indigenous Australians (29% to 15% respectively). Indigenous Australians also have higher rates for many conditions including circulatory diseases, diabetes, respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal conditions, kidney disease, eye and ear problems (2). In many cases, Indigenous Australians develop a particular disease earlier than non-indigenous Australians (2).

Increased health risk due to lifestyle choices

In 2004-05 it was found that 50% of the Indigenous population 18 years of age and over smoked cigarettes every day. 16% reported drinking unhealthy levels of alcohol consistently and 19% on a weekly basis. In non-remote areas, 28% of Indigenous people aged 15 years and over reported having used illegal drugs at some stage in the previous 12 months and 49% reported having tried at least one illicit substance in their lifetime (2).

In 2004-05, the Australian Bureau of Statistics found 57% of Indigenous people 15 years of age and over were overweight or obese (1). In non-remote areas, three-quarters of Indigenous people interviewed engaged in very little, if any, exercise. Diet is also an issue with the study finding only 42% ate the recommended daily intake of fruit and 10% the recommended daily intake of vegetables (2).

The health risks highlighted are not specific to Indigenous people and can be managed through making a few lifestyle changes such as:

• Quitting smoking

• Exercising regularly

• Eat a low fat, low salt, high fibre diet

• Getting in two fruit and five vegetables servings every day

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Keeping alcohol consumption to low-moderate levels

Mental Health

Indigenous Australians suffer higher rates of mental illness than non-Indigenous people (2) and are more than twice as likely to report high to very high levels of psychological distress (2). However, research shows generally there is a strong sense of positive wellbeing among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (2).

Socioeconomic Disadvantage

Many non-Caucasian people, including many Indigenous Australians, are from disadvantaged areas and/or backgrounds. This can make it harder to receive good quality, culturally appropriate health care. If this applies to you, there are government support systems in place to help you, refer to Medicare and Centrelink or contact your local Aboriginal Health Service for more information.

Mortality Rates

Between 1991 and 2005, the mortality rate for Indigenous Australians in Western Australia decreased by 20%. While any decrease is good, the outcomes for other Australians were better, with the mortality rate decreasing by 26% over the same period. The “gap” in mortality rates is widening in South Australia and the Northern territory. In Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory, the mortality rates for Indigenous people (between 2001-2005) were almost three times those of non-Indigenous people (2).

In the same states, and over the same period, the death rates for Indigenous people under 65 were at least twice those for non-Indigenous Australians. The biggest difference was in the middle age groups (35-54 years) where the death rates for Indigenous people were five to six times higher than non-Indigenous Australians (2).

Leading Causes of Mortality for Indigenous Australians

The five leading causes of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people between 2001-2005:

1. Diseases of the circulatory system,

2. Injury (predominantly accidents, intentional self-harm and assault),

3. Cancer,

4. Endocrine,

5. Metabolic and nutritional disorders and respiratory diseases

These accounted for around three quarters of all deaths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (2). The conditions highlighted in red can sometimes be prevented meaning many Indigenous Australians are dying unnecessarily. Further action needs to be taken to help stop this.

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