Young Indigenous Australians' Health Care Journey

In southeast Queensland, a growing number of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are turning to community-controlled health organisations for support. Between 2018 and 2022, over 12,000 individuals aged 15-24 years had at least one encounter with these services. This number has been steadily increasing, with 4,187 young people accessing care in 2018, and 5,314 in 2022.

The majority of these young people, 54%, fell within the 15-19-year age bracket. Females made up a larger proportion of users, accounting for 57% of all encounters. In fact, almost two-thirds of all interactions with health services were with girls and women.

Over the study period, there were a total of 127,225 encounters. These interactions were not just one-time visits; many young people returned for multiple appointments. On average, each young person had around 3 encounters, with girls and women having a median of 3 visits, and boys and men having a median of 2 visits.

So, what brings these young people to health services? The main reasons were preventive health checks and managing ongoing health conditions. It's clear that these community-controlled organisations are playing a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of young Indigenous Australians.

As the number of young people accessing these services grows, so does the need for effective, youth-centred care models. By investing in and evaluating these models, it's possible to make a real difference in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. Their health and wellbeing depend on it.

Health services are adapting to meet the needs of this population, with a significant increase in encounters over the study period. From 21,020 encounters in 2018 to 27,029 in 2022, it's clear that these services are becoming more utilised.

By understanding the needs and patterns of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, health organisations can tailor their services to provide better support. This might involve more targeted programs, increased accessibility, or innovative care models. The goal is to ensure that these young people receive the care they need to thrive.