Episode description

Life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a decade lower than that of the non-Indigenous population. Addressing this disparity is one of the key priorities of the Closing the Gap initiative agreed upon by the Council of Australian Governments. 

Today's speakers discuss where progress has been made and where resources are still lacking. Associate Professor Noel Hayman FAFPHM, FRACGP is Clinical Director of the Inala Indigenous Health Service in Brisbane. Ms Shannon Daly is an Aboriginal Health Practitioner who often works with Dr Joshua Francis FRACP, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist based at Royal Darwin Hospital. 

 This episode was produced by Anne Fredrickson and Mic Cavazzini, with recording assistance from Johanna Bell. Music from Doctor Turtle ('G of the Bang') and Rebecca Foon ('White Throated Sparrow'); photo copyright  courtesy of Cameron Herweynen.

Editorial feedback was provided by RACP Fellows Dr George Laking, Dr Tamara Mackean, A/Prof Ashim Sinha and Dr Catherine Yelland, and RACP staff member Ms Helen Craig.

Please visit the RACP website for a transcript embedded with citations. Fellows of the College can claim CPD credits for listening and additional reading.