NATSIHEC Communique, 10 and 11 November 2011

PDF printable version: NATSIHEC meeting 2 Communique (PDF 27 KB)

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equality Council (NATSIHEC) is the primary advisory council to the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, Minister for Indigenous Health.

NATSIHEC held its second meeting, in Brisbane on 10 and 11 November 2011, with members reaffirming their commitment to the development of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan in conjunction with the Minister.

Discussion points from the meeting included:

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan; Minister Snowdon provided an overview of the Health Plan process and the need to work collaboratively with other agencies; emphasising the importance of Social Determinants of Health in the development of the Plan. It was envisaged the Plan would be carried out over a ten year period and NATSIHEC was encouraged to take a bold, articulate and innovative approach towards its development.

The future direction of NATSIHEC; NATSIHEC will be commissioning a small number of background papers, which will be evidence based and written by experts in the field. These will identify issues and priorities for NATSIHEC review.

NATSIHEC discussed the social and economic ramifications of poor nutritional health within Indigenous communities. Discussion was held on alternative models which have been developed world-wide and it was agreed further work would be undertaken on the available data.

On top of these vital topics, discussion also took place around low birth weight babies, eye health, the level of participation in mental health at State and Federal level and the finalisation of the Workforce Forum Report.

The next NATSIHEC meeting is scheduled to take place in early 2012.

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