A health profile of adults in a Northern Territory aboriginal community, with an emphasis on preventable morbidities

Abstract

We conducted a brief health survey of adults in an isolated Northern Territory Aboriginal community, whose standardised mortality rates are the second highest in Australia. The screen revealed high rates of smoking and excessive drinking, of preventable infections and their sequelae, and of hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes and renal disease. The infectious morbidities were more pronounced and the life-style morbidities almost entirely new since a health screen in 1957. Most morbidities were strongly associated with identifiable risk factors, such as overweight, smoking, excessive drinking, skin sores and scabies, all of which which are amenable to modification. Problems with food supply and pricing, poor food choices and diversion of money to cigarettes, beer and gambling all contributed to poor nutrition. Low birthweight probably compounds the risk for serious adult disease associated with these environmental influences. This profile highlights the failure of current systems to deal with health needs. Improvements in infrastructure, education and employment, and reinvigoration of preventive and primary health care programs, assumption of responsibility for health by the community and by individuals themselves, and better management of existing morbidities are essential to rectifying this shameful situation.