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[title]In 2006, the Close the Gap Campaign was officially launched as a formal endeavour to address the widening gap of health status and life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. This year-round commitment is punctuated on the third Thursday of March each year with National Close the Gap Day. This is when an annual report comes out and when the community is invited to take a pledge and join in on efforts.
Addressing the health inequality gap is always of utmost importance, but its significance has been especially amplified by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis of the last few years.
"Covid-19 has been a powerful example of how the campaign can deliver information and support directly to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities," says Paul Wright, the national director of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR). "Federal and state governments know they must do better because we'll be there to call out any backsliding."
This year, the campaign's theme is 'Transforming Power: Aboriginal and Torres Strait-Islander-led Transformation, Gender Equality and Allyship'. Wright says that this theme pays homage to how First Nations communities have provided services and care despite the extreme pressures of historically bad bushfire seasons, pandemics and floods that pose existential challenges.
"As is often said, First Nations peoples in Australia make up about 3 per cent of the population, so they need allies in the 97 per cent to hold governments to account throughout crises like Covid-19," says Wright.
If you're eager to do your part to spread awareness and contribute to the campaign's efforts, we've rounded up some opportunities below.
Educate yourself on the history of Indigenous health inequality
Did you know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people born as late as 2017 have a life expectancy of nearly a decade shorter than that of non-Indigenous people? If you thought that this was an issue facing those from a much older generation, think again. Read up on some of the statistics here (with studies linked to each claim), such as how two-thirds of First Nations people have one chronic disease, and one-third suffer from three or more. Understanding these key differences is key to understanding the importance of a national commitment to closing the gap.
Sign the Close the Gap pledge
This petition by ANTaR demands Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality to be achieved within a generation. Presently, the lifespan of those communities is on average a decade shorter than the lifespan of non-Indigenous Australians. The petition already has 212,000 signatures out of the 250,000 it needs, and you can help reach that target by adding your name to the list of signatories here.
Tune in to hear the Campaign's 2022 findings
On March 17 from 11.30am to 1pm, you can tune in for a Zoom webinar to hear the 13th annual Close the Gap Campaign report. Speakers will address findings that relate to this year's theme of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led transformation, gender justice, equity and allyship. Hear from speakers like Dr Norman Swan of the Health Report and June Oscar and Karl Briscoe of the Close the Gap Campaign, among others.
Hold a Close the Gap event at your school, workplace or organisation
Help to spread the word by hosting an event at your home or organisation. This could mean hosting a dinner party followed by an evening watching a film related to the cause, such as Take Heart: The Quest to Rid Australasia from Rheumatic Heart Disease. You could also host a block party or barbecue and encourage attendees to share photos on social media and tag #CloseTheGap and #CloseTheGapDay.
Call, tweet or write to your local MP and tell them to Close the Gap
While community-led efforts are crucial, it's also important to have the support of our Federal and State government officials. Not sure who your local MP is? You can enter your address here to find out, then click through to find their website, Twitter handle, email and more. Drop them a line and let them know how important this cause is to you, and ask them to commit to closing the gap.