Our community needs to have accurate information on our health problems. To ensure this happens, make sure you identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders when you receive medical care.

The life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is 17% less than the wider community.

In Victoria, we are trying to find out what are the major health problems of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, so that we can do something about this serious problem. It is important to know how many Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people need medical attention. Therefore, all patients being admitted to hospital will be asked:

"Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander decent?"

It is essential that medical staff ask this question because you can't tell if a person is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin based on looks or skin colour alone - the only sure way is to ask. It is important to remember that if you identify yourself as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you will still be treated the same as any other person. Collecting this information will help in the long term improvement of Aboriginal health.