Disadvantage begins in the womb
Aboriginal children are faced with significant impediments to their chances of a healthy life even before they are born.
The first volume of findings from the landmark Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey identifies a number of factors which are adverse to healthy development.
These include:
- 13% of Aboriginal children are born prematurely (general population - 8%)
- 21% have poor growth in utero (general population - 13%)
- 11% are born to mothers under 17 years of age (general population - 2%)
- 49% of mothers of Aboriginal children used tobacco during pregnancy (general population - 22%)
Steering Committee member and Kulunga Network manager, Heather D'Antoine, said the figures were disturbing.
"While the statistics are alarming, what's really worrying is the long term impact of these factors," she said.
"Babies that are born prematurely or with low birth weight are at increased risk of a host of health conditions and behavioural problems.
"The key point out of this is that many of these problems could be prevented with good pre-natal care."
Ms D'Antoine said the number of young mums has implications for the mother's health and also for the financial and emotional capacity to care for the child.
"It's also clear from the tobacco statistics that the QUIT campaign has had little impact on Aboriginal people. We need to develop culturally appropriate ways to get these important preventative messages across - what's happening now simply isn't working."
Ms D'Antoine said one positive that was clear in the research was the prevalence of breastfeeding.
"Over a third (34%) of all Aboriginal children were breastfed for more than 12 months. In more isolated communities more women breast fed their babies even longer.
"However fresh vegetable intake is particularly deficient with only 19% of children meeting recommended dietary standards."
Ms D'Antoine said access to fresh vegetables was particularly difficult in remote communities were availability and price were both issues.
"We don't need to wait to make improvements in Aboriginal child health. It's about getting important health messages across in a culturally appropriate way.
"Every mother wants a healthy baby. If we can reduce rates of tobacco, alcohol and other drug use and educate about nutrition, then we can make an immediate impact."