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Potential primary health care savings for chronic disease care associated with Australian Aboriginal involvement in land management

Campbell, David, Burgess, Christopher P., Garnett, Stephen T. and Wakerman, John (2011). Potential primary health care savings for chronic disease care associated with Australian Aboriginal involvement in land management. Health Policy,99(1):83-89.

Document type: Journal Article

IRMA ID 82057923xPUB23
Title Potential primary health care savings for chronic disease care associated with Australian Aboriginal involvement in land management
Author Campbell, David
Burgess, Christopher P.
Garnett, Stephen T.
Wakerman, John
Journal Name Health Policy
Publication Date 2011
Volume Number 99
Issue Number 1
ISSN 0168-8510   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Start Page 83
End Page 89
Total Pages 6
Place of Publication Ireland
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DIISR)
Abstract Rationale:
To identify the possible savings in the cost of primary health care of chronicdisease associated with the participation by Aboriginal people in land management. In sodoingwe investigate the connection of health of Aboriginal people and the extent of theirinvolvement in land management in remote-very remote Australia.

Methods:
Possible savings in primary care costs for hypertension, renal disease and diabetes were estimated using multivariate regression to examine associations between Aboriginalinvolvement in land management and Northern Territory Government-defined chronic disease outcomes, controlling for socio-demographics and health behaviours. Participants were 298 Aboriginal adults aged 15–54 from a remote Aboriginal community, classified by their chronic disease status and a previously validated measure of self-reported participation in land management activities.

Results:
Land management participants were significantly less likely to have diabetes, renal disease or hypertension. Using the sampled mean value of engagement in land management, we found the expected net annual savings for the community from involvement in land management of $268,000. This equates to a net present value of primary health care savings in chronic disease care for the sampled community over 25 years of $4.08 million. This estimate does not include further savings in other primary health conditions nor costs anticipated in referred and hospital-based health care for chronic disease.

Conclusion:
While the association between involvement in land management and better health requires further clarification, our findings indicate that significant and substantial primary health care cost savings may be associated with greater participation in land management activities. These estimated savings are in addition to the market and non-market economic benefits of a healthier population and environmental benefits.
Keywords Social determinants
Environment
Traditional practice
Closing the gap
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2010.07.009   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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