Bachleor of Nursing| Bachleor of Nursing
Closing the Gap is an initiative by the government to decrease disparities in life expectancy and health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons and non-Indigenous Australians. CTG offers numerous benefits, especially for Indigenous communities in terms of healthcare access. The availability of quality healthcare services may improve individual’s mental and physical well-being. This includes early diagnosis and treatment of chronic illnesses; better nutrition; mental health support; lower infant mortality rates; maternal care improvements; greater social connections with Indigenous peoples and increased education opportunities.
Research has also shown that registration for these programs can lead to better short-term outcomes, such as lower hospitalizations or mortality rates in registered people compared with non-registered. Furthermore, it contributes towards long-term health outcomes like decreased risk factors associated with lifestyle diseases—such as diabetes, heart disease or obesity—and improved overall quality of life. It also provides better housing conditions by allowing home ownership and rental assistance through the program.
CTG, which provides increased access to health services and other tangible benefits, is helping close the gaps between Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians in terms of their health outcomes.