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Close the Gap: social justice

Tom Calma
Med J Aust 2009; 190 (10): 526. || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02548.x
Published online: 18 May 2009

We need a stronger focus on the social determinants of health

Since 2006, Australia’s peak Indigenous and non-Indigenous health bodies, non-government organisations and human rights organisations have worked together on the Close the Gap campaign for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality by 2030. The key elements of their approach are:

The good news is that Australian governments have already committed to this approach through:

However, despite substantial investments in Indigenous health as a result of the campaign, progress has been slow in turning the commitments around planning and partnership into action, and there needs to be a stronger focus on the social determinants of health rather than simply a health sector response. This remains the challenge of the campaign partners over 2009–2010.

  • Tom Calma1

  • Australian Human Rights Commission, Sydney, NSW


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