The infant mortality rate at Cherbourg aboriginal community: an update

The infant mortality rate (IMR) at Cherbourg Aboriginal Community in south-eastern Queensland remained high from 1906 to about 1955-60, but since then has dropped from over 200/1000 live births in 1956-60 to 16/1000 live births in 1986-90, compared with the 1987 rate for Queensland (9.2/1000) and Australia (8.6/1000). The rapid improvement in the IMR was associated with the installation of a piped and chlorinated water supply, sewerage and an intensive campaign to eradicate intestinal worms. There has also been a change in community attitudes towards routine health practices and it is likely that this has been a major factor in the changes.