The importance of Aboriginal child health research 

 
 

The tragic, shameful and untimely deaths of thousands of Aboriginal adults is even more reason to focus on the health of their children, according to Professor Jonathan Carapetis, Director of the Menzies School of Health Research.

“We are all aware of the dismal state of Aboriginal health, and that the divide between them and non-Indigenous Australians is growing,” he says.

Professor Carapetis says a quick look at the mortality data will confirm that Aboriginals are dying predominantly as young to middle-aged adults, largely as a result of treatable diseases.

“A focus on better prevention and management of these diseases through government policy, health delivery and research, is vital,” he says.

Aboriginal child health research will be among the issues covered by Professor Carapetis in the third lecture in the Charles Darwin University October Public Lecture Series on Tuesday, October 17.

His lecture – Let’s start at the very beginning: the importance of Aboriginal child health research – starts at 6pm in the auditorium of the Royal Darwin Hospital.

Professor Carapetis will be introduced by Professor Stephen Garnett, Chair of Tropical Knowledge, School for Social and Policy Research.

The free public lecture will be followed by light refreshments.

Media welcome to attend.

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