The Medical journal of Australia
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Comparative Study
Review of available Aboriginal mortality data, 1980-1982.
An analysis of the available population and death data confirms that the level of Aboriginal mortality is significantly higher than that of the total Australian population. The mortality of Aborigines in the Kimberley region of Western Australia in 1980-1982 was twice that of the total Australian population in 1981; for the Northern Territory, and for 14 Queensland and five South Australian Aboriginal communities the level was 3-31/2 times higher. In 1980-1981, Aboriginal mortality in country regions of New South Wales was 41/2 times the 1981 Australian total population level. In 1980-1982, specific indices of Aboriginal fetal and infant mortality in these regions and for Western Australia (excluding the Kimberley region) were generally at least 2-4 times those of non-Aboriginal Australians, and up to 7 times higher for deaths occurring after the neonatal period.
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Information on 555 Aboriginal births which occurred during 1981 and 1982 was forwarded by midwives to the South Australian perinatal statistics unit. Corresponding information was also supplied for all other births in the state. This information showed that Aboriginal women appear to have a higher fertility rate than do other women, particularly in the teenage years. ⋯ Aboriginal babies are characterized by low birthweights, low Apgar scores, and prematurity. There is an indication that Aboriginal babies may have a high perinatal mortality rate in the country areas of South Australia. It is intended that this information be used as a baseline for evaluating trends in the health status of Aborigines.