First Nations Australians
Kidney Health is a trusted source of information and referral regarding the kidney health of people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. A key priority is to work with local communities to address the inequities in care for First Nations Australians living with kidney disease.
First Nations peoples experience disproportionate levels of kidney disease, regardless of whether their locality is urban, regional or rural. Compared with the general population, they are five times more likely to develop kidney disease and four times more likely to die from kidney disease.
In remote and very remote areas of Australia, the incidence of kidney failure among First Nations Australians is especially high, with rates up to 20 times higher than those of comparable non-Indigenous peoples.
Kidney Health Australia works across the continuum of healthcare to support and improve the lives of First Nations peoples, their families and communities impacted by kidney disease.
We collaborate with expert groups to gather, review and share educational materials that are culturally sensitive to the needs of First Nations peoples. Resources promote healthy lifestyles and inform readers about the risk of cardiovascular disease, with a kidney focus.
We also deliver education on kidney disease for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and practitioners that is accredited by NATSIHWA (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers Agency). Sessions are focused on kidney disease and the impacts on First Nation Peoples health. To find out more, visit our primary care education page.
Health Professional Resources
Resource Library
Kidney Health Australia resources for First Nations Australians and health workers
Kidney Health Flip chart
This flip chart has been uniquely developed by Kidney Health Australia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers to use with their clients. Download the flipchart.
Kidney stories toolkit
These individual Kidney Stories are available for download. If you're a health professional, you may wish to print the sheets in colour and go through them with your patients.
External Resources
Addressing the issues
The Australian Government provided funding to Kidney Health Australia to conduct consultations across metropolitan, rural and remote communities of Australia to inform the new Caring for Australasians with Renal Impairment (CARI) Guidelines for Management of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Our team is conducting Yarning Kidney Consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health experts, consumers, community members, service providers and peak bodies around the country to ensure new guidelines are aligned with community preferences and needs.
Learn more about Yarning Kidneys Consultations