Aboriginal Health

Antecedents of Renal Disease in Aboriginal Children and Young Adults [ARDAC study]

Background

The First phase of the ARDAC study found no differences in prevalence and incidence of markers of chronic kidney disease, and no increased risk for cardiovascular disease in Aboriginal children as compared to non – Aboriginal children. Our conclusion from this study are that whilst markers of chronic disease are already common in school – aged children, they are no more common in Aboriginal as compared with non – Aboriginal children. Isolated living and social disadvantages pose no increased risk for markers of chronic disease.

The increased risk for chronic disease seen in Aboriginal adults may start to manifest in older Aboriginal children and young Aboriginal adults. Hence, we propose to follow the cohort for a further six years with three sets of tests each two years apart, and to recruit new high school participants and other sources during the first round of testing so as to maintain study power.

Aim of the ARDAC second phase study

The ARDAC Second Phase Study will follow the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants from the first phase study into young childhood for a further three tests, each two years apart. This will be to:

Determine whether young Aboriginal adults from diverse geographical areas develop an increase risk of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease as compared with non-Aboriginal young adults
Determine whether socio-demographic determinants of health have any association with risk for these chronic diseases.