Cardiovascular disease risk in young Indigenous Australians: A snapshot of current preventive health care

Objective: To examine preventive health attendance and recording of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk factors and their management in young Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders (Indigenous Australians) at primary health care centres (PHCs). 

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study audited medical records of 1,986 Indigenous people aged 15-34 years attending 93 Australian PHCs. Measurements included blood pressure (BP), blood glucose level (BGL), smoking status, body mass index (BMI) and lipid profile. 

Results: Last attendance was most commonly for acute care (46%); 12% attended for preventive assessment. BP was recorded in 85% (1,686/1,986), BGL 63% (1,244/1,986), smoking status 52% (1,033/1,986), BMI 37% (743/1,986) and lipids 31% (625/1,986). Of those with a recorded assessment, elevated BGL (39%, 479/1,244), smoking (63%, 649/1,033), overweight/obesity (51%, 381/743) and dyslipidaemia (73%, 458/625) were common. Follow-up of abnormal results was documented for elevated BP 28% (34/120), elevated BGL 17% (79/479), smoking 65% (421/649), overweight/obesity 11% (40/381) and abnormal lipids 16% (75/458). 

Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of raising awareness and assessment of chronic disease risk factors in young Indigenous people and implementing preventive health care strategies. 

Implications: Strengthening the capacity of PHCs to provide preventive health care may contribute to reducing the chronic disease burden experienced by young Indigenous people.