Mortality rates too high for Indigenous children
The Save the Children report released earlier this week shows Indigenous children are three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than non-Indigenous children.
Richard Trudgen CEO of the not-for-profit Indigenous organisation; Aboriginal Resource and Development Services Inc (ARDS), said the figures were appalling.
“The mortality rates outlined in the report are comparable to some of the poorest countries in the world,” Trudgen said.
“It is completely unacceptable in a first world country that we have young children dying of preventable diseases or health complications.”
“If these deaths were happening in mainstream society, there would be a national outcry.”
Trudgen commented that access to health information in the language of the people who need it, is the key to improving the situation.
The upcoming Bridging the Gap seminars were designed to provide health professionals, and others striving to close the gap, with a model that works.
The strategies outlined at the seminars have been successfully used by the people of north-east Arnhem Land – the Yolŋu people, who still practice one of Australia’s
oldest living cultures.
“Many people coming to work in Indigenous communities, including health professionals, arrive without the tools to work successfully across cultures and often
leave burnt out and frustrated,” he concludes.
“The Bridging the Gap seminars will provide them with the much needed awareness and strategies to deal with communication and cultural barriers.”
Trudgen is the author of acclaimed book “Why Warriors Lie Down and Die” and ARDS is a driving force behind bridging the gap with Indigenous communities.
Trudgen brings with him two co-presenters from north-east Arnhem Land: Witiyana Marika, founding member of internationally renowned band Yothu Yindi and Dianne
Gondarra, presenter on Yolŋu Radio.
The next round of seminars are scheduled for:
Melbourne – Melbourne Business School 19/20 November
Canberra – Canberra National Convention Centre 23/24 November
Sydney – Australian Museum 26/27 November.
Seminars start from 8am each day.
To find out more about Richard Trudgen’s Bridging the Gap seminars go to: http://www.ards.com.au
>ENDS<
For more information and media interviews please contact:
Richard Trudgen ARDS CEO: 0417 896 170
The Buzz PR: (07) 5445 6513 or 0431 079 102
