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The release of the 2026 Close the Gap Campaign Report provides an opportunity to accelerate action to address ongoing health inequities experienced by First Nations peoples, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) says.
As a member of the Close the Gap Campaign, ACRRM supports the report’s call for stronger accountability and ongoing government action to ensure progress towards health equity.
The report features nine community-led initiatives across the country that demonstrate how culturally grounded, locally driven solutions are advancing health and wellbeing.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says improving health outcomes for First Nations people requires sustained investment in both community leadership and the Rural Generalist workforce.
“The burden of disease for First Nations people remains around 2.3 times higher than for other Australians,” Dr Martin says.
“The report highlights that around 35 per cent of the health gap is driven by social determinants such as housing, education, income and access to food.
“These factors, along with chronic disease and mental health conditions, contribute to more than one-third of deaths among First Nations people.”
The report reinforces the importance of solutions led by First Nations communities and supported by strong local health services.
“Real progress happens when communities lead and systems support that leadership,” Dr Martin says.
“Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations are critical to delivering culturally safe care and improving health outcomes.”
He adds ensuring communities have access to well-trained Rural Generalist doctors who understand culturally safe practice is also essential.
“Rural Generalists are trained to deliver comprehensive care across a broad scope of medicine, from chronic disease management and mental health care through to maternity services and emergency care,” he says.
“ACRRM embeds cultural safety throughout its training programs and, through the Joint College Training Services (JCTS), supports registrars and supervisors to deliver care that is culturally responsive, safe and respectful.
“Cultural safety isn’t optional - it is essential.
“The ACRRM Rural Generalist Fellowship Program is helping shape a generation of doctors who are culturally capable and committed to community-led care.
“Investing in the Rural Generalist workforce is the most practical and effective way to improve access to care in communities where it is needed most.”
Dr Martin says meaningful progress on Closing the Gap requires sustained commitment from governments and genuine partnership with First Nations communities.
“Closing the Gap requires more than policy intent,” he says.
“It requires real accountability, long-term investment and a genuine shift of power, resources and decision-making into the hands of First Nations peoples and their communities.”
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The release of the 2026 Close the Gap Campaign Report provides an opportunity to accelerate action to address ongoing health inequities experienced by First Nations peoples, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) says.
As a member of the Close the Gap Campaign, ACRRM supports the report’s call for stronger accountability and ongoing government action to ensure progress towards health equity.
The report features nine community-led initiatives across the country that demonstrate how culturally grounded, locally driven solutions are advancing health and wellbeing.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says improving health outcomes for First Nations people requires sustained investment in both community leadership and the Rural Generalist workforce.
“The burden of disease for First Nations people remains around 2.3 times higher than for other Australians,” Dr Martin says.
“The report highlights that around 35 per cent of the health gap is driven by social determinants such as housing, education, income and access to food.
“These factors, along with chronic disease and mental health conditions, contribute to more than one-third of deaths among First Nations people.”
The report reinforces the importance of solutions led by First Nations communities and supported by strong local health services.
“Real progress happens when communities lead and systems support that leadership,” Dr Martin says.
“Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations are critical to delivering culturally safe care and improving health outcomes.”
He adds ensuring communities have access to well-trained Rural Generalist doctors who understand culturally safe practice is also essential.
“Rural Generalists are trained to deliver comprehensive care across a broad scope of medicine, from chronic disease management and mental health care through to maternity services and emergency care,” he says.
“ACRRM embeds cultural safety throughout its training programs and, through the Joint College Training Services (JCTS), supports registrars and supervisors to deliver care that is culturally responsive, safe and respectful.
“Cultural safety isn’t optional - it is essential.
“The ACRRM Rural Generalist Fellowship Program is helping shape a generation of doctors who are culturally capable and committed to community-led care.
“Investing in the Rural Generalist workforce is the most practical and effective way to improve access to care in communities where it is needed most.”
Dr Martin says meaningful progress on Closing the Gap requires sustained commitment from governments and genuine partnership with First Nations communities.
“Closing the Gap requires more than policy intent,” he says.
“It requires real accountability, long-term investment and a genuine shift of power, resources and decision-making into the hands of First Nations peoples and their communities.”