National Close the Gap Day in Australia

National Close the Gap Day is an annual event in Australia, focused on raising awareness and taking action to bridge the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. The event is a community-driven campaign aimed at achieving Indigenous health equality.

History:

The Close the Gap campaign began in 2006 as a result of a social justice report by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma. It gained momentum when various Indigenous and non-Indigenous health organizations, NGOs, and human rights groups formed a coalition to address Indigenous health inequality. In 2007, more than 40 organizations signed the Close the Gap Statement of Intent.

Traditions:

On National Close the Gap Day, people all over Australia organize or participate in events to show their support for closing the health gap. Some common activities include:

• Educational workshops
• Community gatherings
• Public events with speeches from Indigenous leaders
• Cultural performances
• Health promotion activities

Schools, workplaces, healthcare organizations, and communities are encouraged to host their own events to raise awareness about Indigenous health issues.

What People Do:

On this day, Australians:

1. Educate: Learn about the disparities in health outcomes and life expectancy.
2. Advocate: Lobby government representatives to prioritize Indigenous health policy.
3. Participate: Join events or use social media platforms to spread the message.
4. Commit: Pledge personal or organizational actions towards reducing the gap.

The aim is not only to increase awareness but also to urge government leaders to commit to long-term investment in Indigenous health infrastructure, culturally appropriate services, and community-led solutions.