title: Childhood disability in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: a literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have higher rates of disability than non-Indigenous children and are considered doubly disadvantaged, yet there is very little data reflecting prevalence and service access to inform design and delivery of services. Failing to address physical, social, and psychological factors can have life-long consequences and perpetuate longstanding health disparities.
  
  
  METHODS
  A narrative literature review was undertaken to identify peer reviewed literature describing factors impacting on the prevention, recognition, and access to support and management of disability in Indigenous Australian children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven peer-reviewed journal articles met inclusion criteria. The majority of articles focused on the hearing loss and learning disabilities consequent of otitis media. Few articles reported data on urban or metropolitan Indigenous populations or described interventions. Individual/community-, provider-, and systems level factors were identified as impacting on recognition and management of disability in young Indigenous children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the burden of childhood disability, the limited literature retrieved is concerning as this is a barometer of activity and investment. Solutions addressing childhood disability will require collaboration between health, social and educational disciplines as well as an increased investment in prevention, identification and promotion of access.
authors: Centre for Cardiovascular and Chronic Care, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia. michelle.digiacomo@uts.edu.au
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: DiGiacomo
authors: Patricia M
authors: PM
authors: Davidson
authors: Penelope
authors: P
authors: Abbott
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Delaney
authors: Tessa
authors: T
authors: Dharmendra
authors: Sarah J
authors: SJ
authors: McGrath
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: Delaney
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Vincent
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence