Authored by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care with medical journalist Nicole MacKee
Early management of ear disease for Indigenous kids Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children missing out on vital ear care
Professor Kong, from the University of Newcastle’s School of Medicine and Public Health
‘Every ear, of every child, at every opportunity,’ is the mantra of Professor Amanda Leach, Leader
every opportunity, there could be a significant improvement in the detection and management
of the Ear Health Research Program at the Menzies School of Health Research. It is an approach Professor Kelvin Kong would
of otitis media. ‘The more [health professionals] look in ears, the more confident they get, and the more confident
like to see adopted across Australia to better address the devastatingly high rates of chronic otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
they get, the more diagnoses they make,’ says Professor Kong, who is also an otolaryngology, head and neck surgeon and hails from the Worimi people of Port Stephens. ‘It also increases
Professor Kong, from the University of Newcastle’s School of Medicine and Public Health, says if every health professional inspected
community awareness of the importance of treating ear disease.’ Otitis media is the main cause of hearing loss
these children’s ears with an otoscope at
in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children,
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The Health Advocate • MAY 2021
