Search results

•Higher standardized hip fracture rates were seen for indigenous than non-indigenous persons from Canada and Australia.•Compared to non-indigenous persons, indigenous persons had higher standardized rates of craniofacial fractures.•There may be many varied reasons for differences in fracture rates and risk according to indigenous status.•Communities, governments and professionals need to act in order to prevent trauma-related fractures in indigenous persons.•Osteoporotic fractures are mostly preventable in all populations.

Background: An increasing burden of chronic disease and associated health service delivery is expected due to the ageing Australian population. Injuries also affect health and wellbeing and have a long-term impact on health service utilisation. There is a lack of comprehensive data on disease and injury in rural and regional areas of Australia. The aim of the Ageing, Chronic Disease and Injury study is to compile data from various sources to better describe the patterns of chronic disease and injury across western Victoria. Design: Ecological study. Methods: Information on demographics, socioeconomic indicators and lifestyle factors are obtained from health surveys and government departments. Data concerning chronic diseases and injuries will be sourced from various registers, health and emergency services, local community health centres and administrative databases and compiled to generate profiles for the study region and for sub-populations within the region. Expected impact for public health: This information is vital to establish current and projected population needs to inform policy and improve targeted health services delivery, care transition needs and infrastructure development. This study provides a model that can be replicated in other geographical settings.