Background: Median age of death from Bronchiectasis for Aboriginal people in Central Australia is 42.5 years

Methods: Published research highlights the extent of this chronic lung disease in Central Australia amongst Aboriginal people and a shorten life expectancy.

Results/Discussions: Bronchiectasis is a preventable chronic lung disease resulting in permanent scarring of the lung airways. One of the main risk factors is Pneumonia. Northern Territory has one of the highest rates of Pneumonia in the world. 

Other risk factors for Bronchiectasis are environmental, sub standard housing and living conditions that put people at risk of cross infection. Poor nutrition impacts on the effectiveness of the immune system to fight Pneumonia or an infective exacerbation of Bronchiectasis.

Immune dysfunction is another risk factor for Bronchiectasis. HTLV-1 (Human Tcell Lymphotropic Virus -1) a global retro virus that's known to damage the immune system has a high prevalence among Aboriginal people of Central Australia with Bronchiectasis. 

The main transmission of the virus is through breast milk. Asking mothers not to breast feed in the unhealthy environment where they live presents other risk factors to the baby.

Conclusions/implications: Great challenges persist in reducing the preventable burden of Bronchiectasis amongst Aboriginal people in Central Australia particularly around a healthy living environment and nutrition.

Positive initiatives are being taken in health literacy. Great resources have been developed on a website, Lunginfonet to educate Aboriginal people in understanding the disease process of Bronchiectasis, the signs and symptoms, the importance of going to clinic with worsening symptoms, preventative measures that can be taken to stop Bronchiectasis or slow its advance and other health risks from Bronchiectasis e.g. right heart failure.

Further enhancement of primary health care delivery is important in remote communities and town camps where Bronchiectasis is prevalent. Aboriginal Health Workers could be even more engaged in that process using the resources available.