Even though statistics do not accurately reflect the exact health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young People, some facts are known. One of the difficulties of obtaining such information is the fact that a large proportion of the aboriginal population live in remote areas of Australia.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders experience poor health compared to the rest of Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have higher death rates in all age groups. Indigenous males between 15 –24 years of age have an elevated risk of death through injury. Nationally over one quarter of young aboriginal people report that they suffer from a long term health condition such as asthma.
( Taken from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young People report 1997. )
Indigenous young people are more likely to be hospitalized due to violence. Aboriginal young people are more likely to smoke than non-indigenous youth. Current data suggest that indigenous and non-indigenous young people are drinking similar amounts of alcohol.
A relatively high proportion of aboriginal young people live with relatives. Young Aboriginal people are more likely to be married and twice as likely to live in defacto relationships than non-indigenous people. Government financial assistance is the main source of income for more than half of all young aboriginal young people.
Aboriginal young people are over-represented in the criminal justice system. They are 32 times more likely to be charged by police than non-aboriginal young people.
