National Close the Gap Day in Australia ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of National Close the Gap Day in Australia and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of National Close the Gap Day in Australia and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
National Close the Gap Day is an annual event held in Australia to raise awareness of the health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The day also serves as a call to action to close the gap in life expectancy and other health indicators within a generation.
Indigenous Australians have poorer health outcomes than non-Indigenous Australians in almost every area, from infant mortality to chronic disease. The life expectancy gap between the two groups is around 10 years for men and 8 years for women.
There are many factors that contribute to the health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, including historical factors such as the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families (the Stolen Generations), as well as ongoing issues such as racism, poverty and poor access to healthcare.
National Close the Gap Day was first held in 2006, and has since become an annual event. It is coordinated by Oxfam Australia and supported by a range of organisations, including the Australian Medical Association and the Australian Nurses Federation.
Each year, National Close the Gap Day events are held across the country, with people coming together to learn about the health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and what can be done to close the gap.
The day also serves as a reminder of the need to continue to invest in Indigenous health and close the gap in health outcomes.