The Role of the CSANZ in ‘Closing the Gap’: An Indigenous Cardiologists Perspective

The definition of Indigenous health as a human rights issue has signaled a major change in ideology, which has the potential to unite governments, health organisations and the Indigenous community to achieve improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people. Whilst much of the debate will focus on specific policies, programs and interventions, the greatest challenge lies in bridging the divide between mainstream and Indigenous definitions of health, wellbeing and identity. This article provides an Indigenous perspective on the role that the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand might play in bridging this divide so that we can ‘close the gap’ in life expectancy for ATSI people.

Keywords: Indigenous, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Cardiovascular, Mortality