Author's first-hand knowledge derived from over 15 years practicing medicine among First Nations Communities
PERTH, Western Australia, April 24, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- According to the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Close the Gap Campaign "aims to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation". Author and doctor Chris Gilford worked among the First Nations Communities for 15 years and has written a book detailing why he feels the Close the Gap program isn't succeeding.
In "Closing the Gap Isn't Working: Billions of Dollars of Aid Hasn't Helped First Nations People," Dr. Gilford takes a critical look at the campaign, which started in 2008, and was intended to close the gap between the health, education and employment of First Nations Peoples and the rest of the Australian population. He reasons that, despite the spending of billions of taxpayers' dollars, very few of the indicators have shown any improvement.
"I was aware of the government programs, but upon looking at the reports, I could see that no progress had been made," said Gilford. "What's worse is that the gap was in fact closing prior to 2008, but has stayed the same since then."
In the book, Gilford concentrates on health issues and examines historical evidence to find the causes of the gap. Life expectancy and childhood mortality rates improved substantially in the major towns and cities in Australia, but the improvement in remote areas has been far less. He goes on to say that prevention is key, and First Nations people need to take on a healthy lifestyle, which means giving up the bad habits they've acquired in the last two hundred years. Gilford also discusses the faults he sees with the way the program has been funded, the poor management of the agencies that fund it and a selection of key indicators and responses by the First Nations people.
"Just as the gap between rich and poor has increased throughout Western Society, this is even more marked among the First Nations people in Australia," said Gilford. "Despite this, I am optimistic that solutions can be found, and my book explains where the focus for new programs needs to be directed."
"Closing the Gap Isn't Working: Billions of Dollars of Aid Hasn't Helped First Nations People"
By Chris Gilford
ISBN: 9781669833529 (softcover); 9781669833536 (hardcover); 9781669833512 (electronic)
Available at Xlibris, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the author
Dr. Chris Gilford is a retired general practitioner. He received a MBBS at Guy's Hospital in London, and practiced in the UK and Australia. He currently resides in Perth, in Western Australia. To learn more, please visit http://www.xlibris.com/en-au/bookstore/bookdetails/847749-closing-the-gap-isnt-working.
Media Contact
Ziggy Goldfarb, LAVIDGE, 4803067065, [email protected]
SOURCE LAVIDGE
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