4725.0 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing: A focus on children and youth, Apr 2011
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 23/05/2012 Reissue
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HEALTH: CHILDREN'S HEALTH This article is part of a comprehensive series released as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing: A focus on children and youth. Note: In this section, the term 'children' refers to people aged 0–14 years unless otherwise stated. Information was provided by the parent or guardian or, where they were not available, by a close relative or other household member with responsibility for the child. Data presented are from the ABS National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, 2008 (cat. no. 4714.0).
CHARACTERISTICS OF HEALTHY CHILDREN One of the most direct ways of improving outcomes in childhood and influencing the life course is to ensure that all care taking environments in the early years are nourishing, stimulating and meet the health and developmental needs of young children (Endnote 1). A child's main carer and their family's household situation are central to the care taking environment for the child. In 2008, the majority (79%) of children aged 0–14 years were reported to be in excellent or very good health, 18% were reported to be in good health and 4% were reported to be in fair or poor health. The proportions of children with excellent or very good health did not vary significantly between non-remote and remote areas, or between boys and girls. Children in excellent or very good health were more likely than those in fair or poor health to:
They were also less likely than children in fair or poor health to:
There were no statistically significant differences between the proportions of children who were in excellent or very good health and those who were in fair or poor health across a range of other indicators that might also contribute to wellbeing. These included daily fruit and vegetable intake, participation in organised sport, participation in sport/social/community activities, school attendance, and living in overcrowded conditions. 1.1 SELECTED WELLBEING INDICATORS BY HEALTH STATUS, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–14 years—2008 (a) Difference between children with excellent/very good health and children with fair/poor health is statistically significant. Source: 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey HEALTH CONCERNS Comprehensive information on health concerns and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–14 years is presented in Mothers' and children's health and Social and emotional wellbeing: stressors and life events - children in The Health and Welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (cat. no. 4704.0). Some of the key health concerns highlighted in this publication include:
1. Moore, T. 2006, Early childhood and long term development: the importance of the early years, Centre for Community Child Health, Melbourne <www.aracy.org.au> 2. Data are for children aged 3–14 years. 3. Data are for children aged 4–14 years. 4. Excludes infants without teeth.
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