{"id":324570,"date":"2022-10-04T20:22:56","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T10:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=324570"},"modified":"2022-10-04T20:23:37","modified_gmt":"2022-10-04T10:23:37","slug":"health-equity-strategy-launched","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2022\/10\/04\/health-equity-strategy-launched\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Health Equity’ Strategy Launched"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
UQ Associate Dean (Indigenous Engagement) Professor Maree Toombs with Darling Downs Health chief executive Annette Scott PSM and Darling Downs Health Director of Indigenous Health Rica Lacey (Photo: DDH)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

October 4, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

Darling Downs Health has launched an ambitious “health equity” strategy which aims to ensure First Nations’ residents have the same life expectancy as everyone else in the region by 2031.<\/p>\n

Chief executive Annette Scott PSM said the plan provided a strong focus on change and a commitment to improving health outcomes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHealth equity will need to see reform, change and improvement across the entire health system in a way that is physically, culturally and psychologically safe; that doesn\u2019t come with assumptions and unconscious racism,” Ms Scott said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis strategy has been informed and developed in consultation with many stakeholders to make sure that we are meeting the needs of our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Darling Downs Health Director of Indigenous Health Rica Lacey said health equity started in the health service but would have far-reaching implications.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are healthier and living longer, individuals will have a greater quality of life, culture can be passed down unbroken, and our communities will be more resilient,” Ms Lacey said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to acknowledge and thank the Traditional Owners, Elders, staff, leaders, partnership organisations and our community for developing this plan together.”<\/p>\n