ESSA calls for investment in physical activity in Indigenous communities

With the first full week of July each year signifying NAIDOC Week - a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements - Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is challenging the Australian Government to invest in activities and services to continue closing this health gap.

Since 2006, Australia's peak Indigenous and non-Indigenous health bodies and human rights organisations have worked together to achieve health and life expectation equality for Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and close the gap.

Information from the 2004/05 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health survey (NATSIHS) revealed that 75% of Indigenous people reported sedentary (very low or no physical activity) or low levels of physical activity. This level was 1.5 times higher than that found among non-Indigenous people.

With physical inactivity accounting for 8.4% of the health burden among Indigenous people, ESSA Chief Executive Anita Hobson-Powell explains “by integrating more accredited exercise physiologists (AEPs) in to Indigenous communities, physical activity services can be utilised as a preventative measure for chronic conditions and diseases, such as coronary heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and mental health.”

Alex Budlevskis, an accredited exercise physiologist working in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO), also explains that exercise therapy has the potential to directly treat all of the most common health conditions experienced within the Aboriginal community.

Budlevskis advises “if the service also supports discussion of healthy eating habits, and encourages greater social connection, this simple activity can address physical, emotional and social well-being concurrently.

“The input of an AEP is crucial to address complex and competing health needs, including various comorbidities, medications and health histories. This ensures that exercise is not only effective but safe.

“This service has the potential to not only close the Indigenous health gap, but to supersede it entirely. I challenge the government health departments, if they are genuinely interested in closing the Indigenous health gap, then they need to financially support more programs such as this. Programs that are community controlled, staffed by Aboriginal health workers, and made culturally appropriate for the Aboriginal community.”

NAIDOC Week is being held from 2nd to 9th July. Click here to find out more about NAIDOC Week,

Click here to locate your local AEP. 

Image: The NAIDOC Netball Carnival in Western Australia. Courtesy of Netball WA

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