Closing the Gap Day 2020 will give local healthcare providers the opportunity to join together for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health equality
On Thursday 19th March 2020, Sonder is hosting its annual Closing the Gap Day celebrations in the Goyder Pavilion at the Adelaide Showground from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Sonder CEO, Sageran Naidoo is proud of Sonder’s association with the Closing the Gap program and explains that the organisation views the celebrations as a vital step towards increasing the awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s health needs.
The free event is co-funded by the Adelaide Primary Health Network (APHN) and event partners, Nunkuwarrin Yunti, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network’s (NALHN) Watto Purrunna Aboriginal Primary Health Care Service and Cancer Council SA.
“Together we celebrate culture and work towards our shared goal to close the gap” said Ms Deb Lee, CEO at Adelaide PHN.
“Adelaide PHN continues to fund and partner in this event as part of our commitment to improving health outcomes and the experience of primary health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people.”
What is Closing the Gap Day?
The event is co-designed by Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people as a celebration of Aboriginal culture and health promotion. The event brings together community members, ambassadors, entertainment and an array of healthcare providers to promote Aboriginal health equality.
Executive Director of Aboriginal Health at NALHN, Kurt Towers said Closing the Gap Day is an ideal opportunity to show support for Aboriginal Health equality and also have a free health check-up at the same time.
“Event goers will be offered free 715 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Checks from NALHN’s Watto Purrunna and the University of South Australia’s Health Check Bus,” Mr Towers said.
“NALHN’s Watto Purrunna Aboriginal Health Care Service is committed to delivering a free, culturally responsive and comprehensive health care services, and we are looking forward to sharing the work we do with the entire community,” he added.
Other local healthcare providers, including Diabetes SA, BreastScreenSA, SA Dental Service and Cancer Council SA will also host interactive stalls and provide attendees with information on the range of programs available to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to prevent and manage chronic conditions.
Closing the Gap to Support Health Equality
Mr Lincoln Size, SA Chief Executive at Cancer Council SA explains Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 1.4 times more likely to die from cancer than other Australians.
Mr Size believes “Closing the gap is a key focus for Cancer Council SA and we look forward to the opportunity to showcase a number of programs specifically designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people including our Aboriginal Cancer Screening Program, our Quitskills Program and our Quitline Enhancement Program.”
Event host and Sydney Swans Super Star, Michael O’Loughlin, will guide event goers through an exciting range of live stage performances from musicians and dance groups including Vonda Last, Mikhail Laxton and Warren Milera.
Children can also take advantage of a range of exciting activities including giant inflatable AFL games (agility zone, kicking challenge and specky challenge), petting zoo, jumping castle, face painting and much, much more.
To find out more and register online, visit www.closingthegapday.net
If you require transport assistance to reach the event, contact Sonder on (08) 8209 0700 or email info@closingthegapday.net
Why do we celebrate Closing the Gap Day?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can expect to live up to 10-17 years less than non-Aboriginal Australians. The health gap exists largely as a result of decades of government inaction and a continuing lack of appropriate medical services.
The Australian Government’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023 identifies actions to address challenges in the current system and improve the patient journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
About Sonder’s Closing the Gap (Integrated Team Care) Program
Sonder is funded by the Adelaide and Country SA Primary Health Networks to deliver the Closing the Gap Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program across metropolitan Adelaide, Gawler-Barossa, Yorke Peninsula and mid-north SA.
The Closing the Gap ITC program provides short-term support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with complex chronic disease who are unable to effectively manage their condition.
The program adopts a team approach, with both Outreach Workers and Care Coordinators working with clients to support them to access medical care and other culturally appropriate health and community services.
Working together, the team helps clients to develop self-management skills to better manage their chronic conditions and live longer, healthier lives.