Health

A synthesis of ABS data from the 2011 Census and Queensland Health information shows that death rates continue to be higher in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area than in mainland Australia, with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, mental illness and substance use, accident and injury, neoplasms (cancer) – particularly lung cancer – and chronic respiratory disease being responsible for over 64 per cent of the burden of disease in the region.

The TSRA shares the concerns of Torres Strait Communities regarding confirmed cases of drug resistant tuberculosis on Saibai Island and the death in 2013 of a Saibai woman from this disease. The TSRA has raised cross-border health issues as critical issues for the region and encourages an appropriate whole-of-government response.