An analysis of national health strategies addressing Indigenous injury: consistencies and gaps

SummaryThis paper reviews the inclusion of injury in national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health strategy. The review focused on strategies published during the period 2003 2008 or strategies which are otherwise identified as current for this period. Their content in relation to injury and its antecedents is described. This content is evaluated using the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Safety Promotion Strategy as a benchmark. The review demonstrates that injury is recognised as a public health priority across Indigenous health strategy documents, and strategies that address social and emotional wellbeing (including violence and one of its antecedents, alcohol and substance misuse) are clearly reinforced across national strategy in Indigenous health. However, there are some significant gaps and fragmentation of injury strategy remains a continuing challenge in this field.