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EAR CHECKS BUILD A SOUND FUTURE FOR ABORIGINAL CHILDREN IN DAREBIN Wednesday, 2 June 2010


Wednesday, 2 June 2010

EAR CHECKS BUILD A SOUND FUTURE FOR ABORIGINAL CHILDREN IN DAREBIN

Aboriginal children in Darebin are getting the best start to life thanks to vital health checks taking place in local schools to identify and prevent ear disease.

Health Minister Daniel Andrews today visited a screening session that identifies hearing problems among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at Thornbury Primary School.

“The Brumby Government is committed to improving Aboriginal health and closing the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians,” Mr Andrews said.

“That is why we support ear health checks like these that enhance the health and wellbeing of Darebin’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, now and into the future.”

Mr Andrews said the screening sessions were a partnership between the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, Darebin Best Start, The Royal Eye and Ear Hospital and the Northern Metropolitan Region Primary School Nursing Program.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are more prone to ear conditions, which can have a negative impact on their health, language development, education and social interactions,” he said.

“If these problems continue to go unrecognised this can result in learning difficulties at school and have a significant impact in later life.”

Throughout 2009, this program screened 136 students in six primary schools across Darebin. Also in 2009 The Royal Eye and Ear Hospital provided eye and ear screening at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency playgroups.

In the first half of 2010, the Darebin Best Start Partnership have worked across seven schools in Darebin and provided screening to about 150 children.

Children identified with hearing problems during the screening program are referred to the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital for specialist care.

Mr Andrews said these screenings, which focus on prevention and early intervention, are a great example work being done to reduce the impact of chronic disease on Aboriginal families.

“The partnership has also worked with local community members to produce health promotion materials including a book and a board game,” he said.

“This work has highlighted the high numbers of children experiencing ear disease and the need for a strong, culturally appropriate screening program to continue.

“The Brumby Government is taking action, through programs such as this, to ensure that every Victorian child gets the best possible start in life.”

Mr Andrews said the Brumby Labor Government had committed $57.97 million to Aboriginal health through the Closing the Gap Initiative.

“We continue to work in partnership with Aboriginal Community Organisations to develop projects that best address the needs of individuals, families and communities across the state,” he said.

“These ear screenings are another excellent step forward in reducing the life expectancy gap by boosting access to high quality services and prevention programs to Aboriginal people in Darebin.”



Media Release Attachment - EAR CHECKS BUILD A SOUND FUTURE FOR ABORIGINAL CHILDREN IN DAREBIN.doc [Word, 47104 Bytes]





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