New: Information sheets for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
A new set of information sheets on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors have been developed by the Heart Foundation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Designed for patients and families, these information sheets are easy-to-read and cover a range of topics including:
The information sheets can be used to distribute to people at workshops, community events or during individual consultations. Please call the Health Information Service on 1300 36 27 87 to order your copies or downloadable versions are available from the list above.
Chronic heart failure resource for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The Heart Foundation has launched a new booklet for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic heart failure (CHF).
"Living every day with my heart failure" features culturally and clinically appropriate health information to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with CHF better manage their condition.
The booklet includes a "My heart failure" action plan and medicines record sheet. You can access extra copies of these and other worksheets below.
To order your copy of "Living every day with my heart failure", call our Health Information Service on 1300 36 27 87 or email us.
Hypertension resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The Heart Foundation, in partnership with the NPS, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia, has developed hypertension resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The resources, developed to help Aboriginal Health Workers and health professionals deliver patient education, also support the Good Medicine Better Health hypertension module. The resources include a flip chart, patient brochure and five flyers for the patient and their families to take home.
These resources can also be ordered in hard copy from NPS by completing this order form.
Better Hospital Care For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People Experiencing Heart Attack
The Heart Foundation and Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association report "Better hospital care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing heart attack" is now available.
This report addresses the disparities in hospital care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and makes practical recommendations to close the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heart health.
The report was developed in response to the 2006 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare findings that, compared with other Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had:
- three times the rate of major coronary events, such as heart attack
- 1.4 times the out-of-hospital death rate from coronary heart disease (CHD)
- more than twice the in-hospital death rate from CHD
- a 40% lower rate of being investigated by angiography
- a 40% lower rate of coronary angioplasty or stent procedures
- a 20% lower rate of coronary bypass surgery.
"Better hospital care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing heart attack" aims to raise awareness of these issues among governments, hospitals, clinicians and other interested parties.
Download "Better hospital care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing heart attack"
Position statement. Indigenous tobacco control
Our position statement on Indigenous tobacco control outlines our policy and funding priorities for Indigenous tobacco control.
In Australia, 50% of Indigenous people smoke compared with a national smoking rate of 19%.* Reducing the prevalence and uptake of smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is critical in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous cardiovascular health outcomes.
We recognise the high prevalence of smoking among Indigenous Australians, and in response to the Commonwealth and Coalition of Australian Governments (COAG) announcements on funding allocations for Indigenous tobacco control, we are advancing a range of Indigenous-specific priorities to help to define a national tobacco control strategy for Indigenous Australians.
Download "Position statement. Indigenous tobacco control". To order a print copy, call our Health Information Service on 1300 36 27 87 or email us.
* Trewin D. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey. Australia 2004–05. Cat. No. 4715.0. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics; 2006. And Scollo MM, Winstanley, MH [editors]. Tobacco in Australia: Facts and Issues. 3rd edn. Melbourne: Cancer Council Victoria; 2008.
Remote Indigenous Stores And Take-aways
The Heart Foundation’s “Buyer’s Guide for managers of remote Indigenous stores and takeaways” is now available.
This practical tool outlines the small steps that remote store managers can take to make a real difference to the nutritional health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live remotely. It lists specific brands of foods and beverages that we recommend these stores stock to improve the range of healthier options available. It is not designed for the broader community.
“Buyer’s Guide for managers of remote Indigenous stores and takeaways” was developed in response to a request from the Remote Indigenous Stores and Takeaways (RIST) Project.
To order a print copy of "Buyer’s Guide for managers of remote Indigenous stores and takeaways", call our Health Information Service on 1300 36 27 87 or email us.
More about RIST.
Acute Rheumatic Fever And Rheumatic Heart Disease
Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease are a significant cause of cardiac disability and death in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Indigenous Australians have one of the highest rates of rheumatic heart disease in the world, and are significantly more likely to be hospitalised or die from it than non-Indigenous Australians.
The Heart Foundation, in collaboration with the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, developed an evidence-based review and guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
More about guidelines for acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
Cardiac Rehabilitation And Secondary Prevention Of Cardiovascular Disease
It is important that services for Indigenous Australians with cardiovascular disease are integrated and comprehensive.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has produced a guideline to help health services and health professionals develop cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention services.
This guideline complements our advocacy efforts to improve access to prevention and treatment for Indigenous Australians.
More about cardiac rehabilitation guidelines for Indigenous Australians.
Other resources
My heart, my family, our culture - alcohol