High risk alcohol-related trauma among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Northern Territory

• Published in: Substance abuse treatment, prevention and policy Vol. 7; no. 1; p. 33
• Main Authors: Jayaraj, Rama, Thomas, Mahiban, Thomson, Valerie, Griffin, Carolyn, Mayo, Luke, Whitty, Megan, d'Abbs, Peter, Nagel, Tricia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 03-08-2012; BioMed Central
• Subjects: Alcohol use; Alcoholism; Alcoholism - complications; Alcoholism - economics; Alcoholism - ethnology; Australian aborigines; Chronic illnesses; Complications and side effects; Crime; Cultural Competency; Face; Health aspects; Humans; Incidence; Injuries; Mandibular Fractures - ethnology; Medical research; Mental disorders; Mental health care; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander - statistics & numerical data; Native peoples; Northern Territory - epidemiology; Review; Risk factors; Violence; Wounds and injuries; Wounds and Injuries - complications; Wounds and Injuries - economics; Wounds and Injuries - ethnology; Northern Territory; Australia; ISEW, Australia, Queensland, Torres Strait
• ISSN: 1747-597X; 1747-597X
• DOI: 10.1186/1747-597X-7-33

High risk drinking is linked with high rates of physical harm. The reported incidence of alcohol - related trauma among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory is the highest in the world. Facial fractures are common among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. They are often linked with misuse of alcohol in the Northern Territory and are frequently secondary to assault. This review focuses on alcohol-related trauma in the Territory and draws attention to an urgent need for preventative health approach to address this critical issue.