Few of the Closing the Gap targets agreed by all Australian governments are on track. In too many cases, the gap remains wide – or is even widening. It is clear that Australia is failing to substantially address the processes of colonisation that Aboriginal people still live with today.

However, national data such as released in the latest Closing the Gap report can miss those times and places which have shown success. One of the great success stories in the Northern Territory has been the establishment and expansion of Aboriginal community controlled health services (ACCHSs).

A case study from Central Australia demonstrates how Central Australian Aboriginal Congress – the major ACCHS in region – has been instrumental in leading the delivery of improved health for Aboriginal people since its establishment in 1973. This has included improvements in life expectancy, infant mortality, premature mortality, low birthweight, and alcohol-related harm.

If government is serious about closing the gap, it needs to support and expand what we already know works: Aboriginal community control of primary health care services. However, a range of other issues will also need to be addressed outside primary health care, including the social determinants of health (especially housing, poverty and education); a sustainable health workforce; a hospital system that is effective and appropriate for Aboriginal people; and continued commitment by all levels of government to shared decision-making with the Aboriginal community.