Kidney Health Australia today welcomed the commitment by the
Federal Government to tackle the health issues facing Indigenous
Australians with a concerted effort to close the seventeen year life
expectancy gap between Indigenous Australians and the rest of the
community.
Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia said, "The overall
death rates from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are up to ten times
higher in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
compared to the rest of the Australian community.
"The incidence
of kidney failure is increasing in the Aboriginal population at a
faster rate than in non Aboriginal communities."
Ms Wilson said that the public statement and commitment on
resources to tackle the health issues of the Indigenous communities
as part of Prime Minister Rudd's "Sorry Statement" is a major
signpost to the people in the front line of combating chronic
diseases that the Federal Government is looking beyond the band-aid
approach of the past.
Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia Dr Tim Mathew said,
"Greater prevalence of CKD in some Indigenous Australian communities
is due to the traditional high risk factors including diabetes, high
blood pressure and smoking.
"This can be compounded due to increased levels of poor
nutrition, high alcohol use, streptococcal throat and skin
infection, and socio economic disadvantaged living conditions which
makes the Federal Government commitment to housing an important step
in chronic disease prevention.
"Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is often referred to as the "silent
killer" as 80 -90% of kidney function can be lost before an
individual experiences any symptoms.
"The latest research has recognized kidney disease is a "disease
multiplier". It causes death in many people with diabetes and
hypertension and predicts the development of a cardiovascular
event."
Kidney Health Australia with the support of the Federal
Government and BHP Billiton has organised KEY - 'Kidney
Evaluation for You', an early detection program to evaluate
kidney function, cardiovascular health and diabetes in high risk
individuals to be carried out in three States as Australia's first
national screening program.
"If detected early through the screening of high risk groups
CKD can be treated, thereby reducing other complications," Dr
Mathews said.
www.kidney.org.au
Media Enquiries:
Anne Wilson, CEO Kidney Health Australia
Mobile: 0400 165 391
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director Kidney
Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith Media
Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201
