This National Close the Gap Day, Stroke Foundation renews its commitment to health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Stroke Foundation is committed to working to improve stroke outcomes through our prevention, treatment, recovery, and research programs.
Stroke impacts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities significantly. Strokes on average happen earlier in life, more often, and result in worse outcomes than in non-Indigenous Australians.
We acknowledge the enormous strengths in First Nations peoples' deep connections to Country, Culture and Community that contribute significantly to improving their health and wellbeing.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy, says the Foundation is actively working to achieve better stroke care and cardiovascular health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torress Strait Islander peoples.
"Guided by our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, we are working alongside First Nations communities, health services and partners to ensure stroke information, support services and programs are culturally appropriate and accessible," she said.
Recent initiatives include working with Alice Springs Hospital and NT Health to translate the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke into seven Aboriginal languages, supporting a community-led video project in NSW "By the Mob, For the Mob" about accessing stroke care that is culturally appropriate and safe, and providing Our Stroke Journey booklet free of charge to hospitals, health services and communities nationally."
In line with tomorrow's National Close the Gap Day, Stroke Foundation is hosting a meaningful afternoon of connection, listening, learning and yarns.
"We will be hosting staff and colleagues for the screening of the 'Take Heart: Songlines' - a powerful film focusing on Indigenous communities and community-led solutions in the fight to prevent and eliminate Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD)," Dr Murphy said.
"We'll also have the Heart Foundation team joining us to hear directly from First Nations representatives about their lived experience of RHD and what we can do to help end Rheumatic Heart Disease."
National Close the Gap Day is an annual event that draws attention to the significant disparities in health outcomes experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It symbolises the meaningful and collective effort needed to bridge these gaps and create a more equitable and just healthcare system.
Join us in commemorating National Close the Gap Day and standing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as we work towards health equity and reconciliation.
