Excess Indigenous mortality: are Indigenous Australians more severely disadvantaged than other Indigenous populations?

International targets for reducing health inequalities, such as the Millennium Development Goals, are stated in terms of national targets. However, dramatic health differentials exist within countries, even developed ones. Studies indicate that the Indigenous population of Australia suffers a life expectancy disadvantage greater than differentials found in Indigenous populations of other developed countries. We re-examine recent national mortality levels and trends of Indigenous Australians.