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Health risk factors

Health checks

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can receive an annual health check that is funded through Medicare (Department of Health 2021). This Indigenous-specific health check was introduced in recognition that Indigenous Australians, as a group, experience some particular health risks.

The aim of the Indigenous-specific health check is to encourage early detection and treatment of common conditions that cause ill health and early death—for example, diabetes and heart disease.

In 2020–21, among Indigenous Australians:

  • 27% (236,610) had an Indigenous-specific health check.
  • Across states and territories, Queensland had the highest rate of Indigenous-specific health checks (with 34% of Indigenous Australians receiving an Indigenous-specific health check), followed by the Northern Territory (32%). Tasmania had the lowest rate (14%).
  • Across the five remoteness areas, the rate of Indigenous-specific health checks was highest in more Outer regional and Remote areas (33%) (AIHW 2022).

For more information see Indigenous-specific health checks.