For those living in remote communities, such admissions are very socially disruptive for both families and communities, and have substantial resource implications for the health system. Whilst there is only a significant and important change in the 1-2 year old age group, this change represents approximately 20 fewer admissions per year out of a group of approximately 60 children in this age group. There is more to be done to assess completeness of the data set, so these results may alter with further analyses. The initial results indicate substantial improvements in health outcomes have been achieved in remote communities with an Aboriginal controlled health service. The question for further analysis is whether these improvements can be attributed, at least in part, to the use of clinical protocols or whether they reflect other secular trends.
Aboriginal children do better in the more remote areas.
Gracey M. Nutrition of Australian Aboriginal infants and children. Malnutrition among rural Aboriginal children in the Top End of the Northern Territory. Read AW, Gibbins J, Stanley FJ, Morich P. Hospital admissions before the age of 2 years in Western Australia.