Partnerships in action: addressing the health challenge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Over the past year, the Indigenous Health Campaign, or Close the Gap, coalition has been working with non Indigenous organisations to reverse the entrenched disparity and poor outcomes in Indigenous health. The campaign has been led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. Key partners in the campaign include the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, Australian General Practice Network and the Australian Medical Association. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has given its commitment to closing the gap in employment, education, housing and health, in recognition that a whole of government approach is necessary to address the social determinants of Indigenous health. This article presents a timeline of the key milestones in the Close the Gap campaign, summarises the growing commitments from partner organisations, and calls for current and future medical leaders to act within their area of influence and expertise to show their commitment to the cause.