A new review has taken a close look at how annual health checks are being used to help prevent chronic disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and what’s getting in the way.
The review, co-authored by researchers from UCRH and others, has been published in Health Research Policy and Systems.
Chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer are the biggest health challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To help catch these conditions early, a yearly health check is available through Medicare. But while the idea is simple, putting it into practice isn’t always easy.
The review looked at research and reports from the past two decades to find out what helps, or hinders, the success of these health checks in real-world settings.
Some of the biggest barriers included not enough staff or resources, busy clinics focused on urgent care, and a lack of physical space. There were also issues with how patients are identified, concerns about privacy, and health checks not always meeting people’s broader health and cultural needs.
On the flip side, the review found that strong leadership, culturally safe care, and involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and communities made a big difference. Other helpful strategies included flexible appointment times, transport support, and good electronic record systems.
The takeaway? Health checks can be a powerful tool for early detection and prevention, but only if they’re delivered in a way that respects and responds to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The review calls for future research and policy changes that focus on creating culturally safe, community-driven care.
