New insights into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

Almost one in six (15.5 per cent) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have diabetes and one in four (25.7 per cent) have abnormally high total cholesterol levels, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

James Eynstone-Hinkins, ABS head of health statistics, said: ‘The health insights provided by this survey help to identify the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across various regions.

‘The survey found that 21.7 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in remote areas had diabetes, compared with 14.3 per cent in non-remote areas.

‘Diabetes was more common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 and over, at 34.6 per cent, than people aged 18 to 34 years, at 5.5 per cent.’

The results combined analyses of blood and urine samples volunteered by participants with self-reported health information. This showed that one in five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults who had indicators of diabetes did not report a previous diabetes diagnosis.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults living in non-remote areas were more likely to have abnormally high total cholesterol (27.8 per cent) compared to those living in remote areas (16.5 per cent).

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult population was found to be iodine sufficient, which is important for healthy thyroid function. Meanwhile, one in four adults (26.6 per cent) were vitamin D deficient.