Author Description

While there have been numerous burden of disease studies over the past decade in developed countries, including several in Australia, the framework and tools have never before been applied to measure disease burden in Indigenous populations apart from a pilot study in the Northern Territory, although the need for such evidence to guide policies and programs is clear. Given the uncertain quality of many data sources on Indigenous health, and the lack of comprehensive information about the comparative importance of various diseases and injuries, it has been difficult to appreciate the complete set of priorities for Indigenous health development. This report responds to that need by providing the first ever burden of disease and injury estimates for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of Australia by leading experts in the field. Detailed estimates are provided of the comparative importance of over 170 diseases and injuries for the health of Indigenous Australians, and in doing so, this report fills an important gap in the evidence base for Indigenous Australian health policy.