Aboriginal Health Unit

Artist: Carissa Paglino
The figures in the centre represent healthy active people part taking in exercise.  The different colours represent different kinds of people and lifestyles.  The dots and circle on the outside represent Aboriginal community.

The I-Fit Program is an innovative Aboriginal specific fitness program that aims to address the chronic health conditions and reduce the likeliness of Aboriginal people developing chronic illnesses.

An Aboriginal fitness program designed to educate and motivate people of all ages to increase their physical activity level and improve their overall health.

The program focuses on technique and the training sessions consist of different types of fitness using circuit training; resistance, cardio, core-strength training as well as Heart Moves.

Is designed for participation by any person at any fitness level.  The entry level is not focused on overwhelming people but supporting active participation and encouragement

Exercises are easy to do and can be used without gym equipment and modified to suit every individual.

Delivers key messages for community that they can take home.

Go4Fun is a free program for NSW children aged 7 to 13 who are above a healthy weight, and their families. Run by trained health and community professionals, it’s a fun way to build self-esteem and learn about eating well, staying active and living a healthy life.

I’m Going to Get Checked. Wanna Come?

is a community yarn up style program aiming to empower community to make healthy lifestyle choices, to reduce risk of chronic disease and cancer, encourage cancer screening and linking community with cancer content experts

Chronic Disease

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People have significantly higher rates of chronic diseases then non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Chronic diseases are long lasting illness with ongoing impacts on the individual, and include diseases such as: respiratory, heart, liver and kidney disease, diabetes and cancer. Chronic diseases contribute to approximately 80% of the mortality gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people (www.aihw.gov.au).

Within HNELHD, a number of initiatives have been developed to support the prevention, diagnosis and management of chronic diseases in our communities. These include a number of programs designed specifically to reduce the health burden of chronic diseases for Aboriginal people. Some of the health promotion and prevention programs are delivered by staff within the Aboriginal Health Unit, while the diagnosis and management of Aboriginal people with a chronic disease are supported by the Integrated Chronic Care for Aboriginal People Program Team (ICCAPP). In addition, some District wide clinics and services have been established including the Medical Outreach Indigenous Chronic Disease Program (MOICDP).

It's important that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel comfortable accessing all services in our District. By providing culturally safe health services, this will provide opportunity for clients and patients to have timely access to our services, which will support positive long term health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You can undertake a cultural audit of your service by completing the HNE Aboriginal Appropriateness Checklist available via the Closing the Gap intranet page.

Resources

The ICCAPP team have put together a range of informative videos about the services they provide. To find our more information about the ICCAPP services in your area, please contact Rose Wadwell, Aboriginal Chronic Disease Practice Development Officer via email: Rose.Wadwell@health.nsw.gov.au or phone: (02) 6763 7432.

• Narrabri ICCAPP Staff Video
• Muswellbrook ICCAPP Clinic Video

Above artwork: 'Healing Together' by Worimi Artist Krystal Hurst. For more information about the meaning of the artwork see the artist statement: Healing Together Artist Statement. Please note this artwork cannot be used or reproduced without written permission from the Manager Aboriginal Care. If you would like more information about the artwork, please contact the Aboriginal Chronic Care team on 4924 6645.