Prime Minister Kevin Rudd recently pledged to close the Indigenous health gap by 2030. A fundamental step in the process of addressing health and social disadvantage is the production and exchange of knowledge. The university sector has a key role in developing Indigenous health knowledge, as the basis for innovation, workforce development and evidence-based policy and practice. However, if this role is to be fulfilled, universities need to change their approach to development of the health workforce, research and health information systems, and capacity exchange with Indigenous communities.
A strong advocate of Aboriginal-led health initiatives for Indigenous people, Ian Anderson has worked in Aboriginal health for 19 years as a health worker, educator and general practitioner. In this presentation he will illustrate approaches to this challenge by drawing on examples of work being undertaken both at the University of Melbourne and elsewhere.
