Indigenous training for Qld health workers

Queensland healthcare workers will undergo training to help them better address the rate of smoking and disease among their Indigenous patients.

Health Minister Cameron Dick said the statewide training program would guide health professionals in giving culturally-appropriate lifestyle advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.

"It will enable them to deliver appropriate smoking cessation, nutrition and physical activity brief interventions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients," Mr Dick said.

The $2.24 million initiative will be rolled out over three years by the Menzies School of Health Research, which developed the program with the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service and Inala Indigenous Health Service.

Menzies School of Health Research Director Professor Alan Cass said the program aimed to reduce the rate of smoking and disease among Indigenous Queenslanders.