The purpose of this paper is to provide background information about chronic diseases in the Aboriginal population in the NT and to stimulate input and comment to assist in the revision of the Preventable Chronic diseases Strategy (PCDS) and implementation plan. This paper outlines some of the issues in relation to chronic diseases in Aboriginal populations in the NT. It follows on from the previous background paper that compares chronic diseases frameworks and models of care and provides an opportunity to examine specific issues for chronic diseases in Aboriginal populations. It is structured around the three key components of the current NT PCDS of prevention, early detection and management of chronic diseases.