Trends in perinatal mortality, birthweight and gestational age among Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and non-Indigenous babies in Queensland Summary

Perinatal mortality has declined in Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous populations by 2-3 percent per year over the last 16 years. However, perinatal mortality in babies born to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island (TSI) mothers is approximately twice that in babies born to nonIndigenous mothers, and the gap between these populations has not narrowed in 16 years. A major determinant of perinatal mortality is low birthweight (due to preterm birth, intrauterine growth retardation or a combination of the two). There has been no reduction in the proportion of low birthweight babies born to Aboriginal or TSI mothers since 1988. Risk factors for preterm births and low birthweight include cigarette smoking, genito-urinary tract infections, poor nutrition and psychosocial stress related to economic disadvantage. These risk factors are present in excess in Aboriginal and TSI mothers and could be addressed through interventions that focus on health during the antenatal period, on women’s health in general and on social determinants to reduce social inequalities that impact upon health. Such initiatives would result in sustainable improvements in health and would be likely to bring about a net reduction in health care expenditure.