Clontarf Academy student and Bairnsdale Secondary College, Jhye Stewart, gets his 715 health check at the school recently. Photo: Troy Brown/GEGAC
By Troy Brown
Did you know that 97% of the Clontarf boys at Bairnsdale Secondary College have completed their 715 Health Checks?
So, what is a 715 Health Check?
A 715 Health Check is a health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of all ages can get their free 715 health check at GEGAC – just call 5150 0760, email medical.reception@gegac.org.au, or drop by to make an appointment.
Getting a 715 Health Check encourages early detection, diagnosis and intervention for common and treatable conditions that cause morbidity and early mortality for Aboriginal people – things like diabetes, respiratory issues and heart disease.
The 715 Health Check includes:
- Physical assessment such as blood pressure, height and weight
- Social and emotional wellbeing check-in
- Personal medical history
- Family medical history to identify risk factors
Although Indigenous death rates have been falling in most age groups over the past 10 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people still have shorter life expectancies than non-Indigenous people.
The median age at death for Indigenous Australians in 2020 was 61 years.
I recently went up to Bairnsdale Secondary College to meet up with Clontarf’s Turk Carroll, and saw GEGAC medical staff on-site conducting the health checks.
When I asked Turk why it was important for these kids to get health checks, he replied, “whether its mental health, dental, or anything, every kid deserves to have equal opportunity.”
Turk loves spending his time with the boys at Clontarf.
“Becoming passionate to make change, equal opportunity and working together is why I love being here for these boys,” he says.
For the Clontarf boys getting their 715 Health Check involved:
- Getting asked questions regarding their health and family medical history
- Physical examinations, blood tests, and other health assessments
- Assessments of diabetes risk factors
- Getting the opportunity to talk about health concerns
It was simple and easy for the boys, and didn’t take too long.
Clontarf and GEGAC have a healthy relationship with each other.
Here at GEGAC we encourage staying on top of your health at an earlier age so there will be less chance of serious issues when getting older.
To be able to keep on top of our health at an early age sets us up for a greater future.
Our Practice Manager Tammy Chatwin says, “it is so good for GEGAC to be able to provide services such as these to these boys at a younger age.”
To book your 715 Health Check call our medical reception on 5150 0760, or email medical.reception@gegac.org.au
