Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Ear and Hearing Health Framework 2016-2026

Deadly Kids, Deadly Futures is the Queensland Government’s policy framework for preventing and managing the impacts of conductive hearing loss among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children that is caused by middle ear disease. The ten year framework was launched in March 2016 as a joint initiative by Queensland Health and the Department of Education and Training. It is supported by the following government and non-government service partners in the health, schooling and early childhood sectors:

• Apunipima Cape York Health Council
• Australian Government Department of Health
• Australian Hearing
• CheckUp
• Independent Schools Queensland
• Institute of Urban Indigenous Health
• Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council
• Queensland Catholic Education Commission
• Royal Flying Doctor Service

The above video provides further information on Deadly Kids, Deadly Futures, and a two page fact sheet is also available which describes key features of the framework.

The Deadly Kids, Deadly Futures framework describes what needs to be done to improve the ear and hearing health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The framework is accompanied by annual Action Plans which set out key projects being delivered each year by Deadly Kids, Deadly Futures partner agencies.

Delivery of the annual Action Plans and the policy framework itself is overseen by a multi-agency Steering Committee, the chairing of which alternates each year between health and education. At the end of each year, the Steering Committee publishes an annual report to document progress. Recent versions of the action plans and reports are available via the links below.

Read the 2022-23 Deadly Kids | Deadly Futures Action Plan

Read the 2021-22 Action Plan: Summary Report

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