Koolin Balit is a long-range and far-reaching plan to improve Aboriginal Victorian’s health (Department of Health, 2012). Victorian Government aims at improvement in the length and quality of the lives of Aboriginal Victorian by 2022 (Department of Health, 2012, p. i). It is mentioned that this plan is targeting Aboriginal people in Victoria both at individual and population levels (Department of Health, 2012, p. 4). Department of Health (2012) states that Koolin Balit was initiated by the Minister of Health at the Aboriginal health conference in May 2012 and is a Victorian government’s strategy for improving Aboriginal health in the state within a decade. Koolin Balit envisages its vision to make progress in the quality of life and life expectancy
‘Ganyjuu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Family Support Services were established in June 2005. It offers Indigenous Family Support services in the Logan, Browns Plains and Beaudesert regions.’ Staff members at Ganyjuu are committed to maintaining a high class leading Indigenous Community Corporation which is dedicated to improving Indigenous family support needs in these areas. Ganyjuu works hard to offer the best culturally appropriate family support services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous families who care for children.
Research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) found it is critical for non-Aboriginal staff to be aware of how to engage and support all cultures, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, as services are more effective for Aboriginal
It cannot be denied that our indigenous population has suffered severely since the colonisation of Australia. While the movement towards reconciliation is undoubtedly gaining widespread support, unfortunately many misconceptions are still prevalent and the future of many indigenous Australians is still uncertain. Disadvantage is still experienced by an unacceptable number of the population. Statistically, indigenous people have poorer health, opportunities for education, life expectancy, employment options and the majority live in the remote areas of Australia. As well as this
To improve health outcomes in the Doomadgee community, it is crucial to address the social, historical, and political factors that have led to health inequities. One approach to achieving this is through the principles of culturally safe health care. Culturally safe health care refers to health care that is respectful, inclusive, and appropriate for Indigenous Australians and their communities. Two principles of culturally safe health care that could have been utilized to improve Betty Booth's health outcomes are the principle of cultural responsiveness and the principle of
Indigenous Australians needs in regard to healthcare is one of the greatest challenges faced by healthcare professionals. The treatment of a patients condition tends to be the main focus of healthcare in a demanding and complex health system. Although it has being found that when taking then time there is actually essential ways in which the healthcare system can develop the needs of Indigenous Australians further. The Nursing Code of Conduct, statement four states, ““Nurses respect the dignity, culture, ethnicity, values and beliefs of people receiving care and treatment, and of their colleagues” (Nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au, 2015). This is achieved by understand how social and cultural structures such as language, education, society and
The issues that have caused disadvantage to ATSI culture include higher rates of infant mortality, poor health, low levels of educations and employment. These disadvantages have formed many gaps among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that need to be readily fixed. Infant Mortality Infant mortality is defined by “the deaths of children less than one year of age” (Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS, 2012). Evidence supported by Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW, 2011) suggest that “the life expectancy of ATSI children is double compared with their non-Indigenous counterparts (6.2 deaths per 1000 births ATSI children; 3.7 deaths per 1000 births non-Indigenous
comm. , Decemeber 1) stated there were always outbreaks of diseases, such as hookworm, gastroenteritis, mumps, influenza and pneumonia and often these resulted in large-scale deaths. He also advised poor diets, a change in diet and sanitation conditions have contributed to the health issues today in Aboriginal peoples. Obesity is the main issue, which has resulted in heart diseases and diabetes. Alcoholism is another major health issue facing this community.
Health outcomes refers to the effect healthcare activities have on an individual, group or population. It 's evident that even with the presence of anti-discrimination and equal opportunities legislation, Indigenous Australians have inferior health outcomes than non-Indigenous Australians. The dissimilarities in health status between Native and non-Native Australians are closely linked with the allocation of health determinants such as income levels and housing conditions, education levels and access to healthcare services. Income levels and housing conditions can easily be identified as an important determinant of health. Many health outcomes, including life expectancy and infant mortality can be associated with inequalities of income distribution
The delivery of Aboriginal health in Canada is complex and multi-jurisdictional depending upon whether one is First Nation, Inuit, and/or Métis; status or non-status; on-reserve or off-reserve; living in a territory or province; urban or remote; and whether a nation has settled a treaty or not. I commend Lemchuk-Favel and Jock (2004) for recognizing that an approach to Aboriginally-controlled health systems cannot be a one-size fits all solution. The case studies emphasize “the diversity in Aboriginal health systems necessary to accommodate vast differences in cultural expectations, health service needs, jurisdictional complexity, and geographic location” (Lemchuk-Favel & Jock, 2004, p. 28). I found it promising that several provinces and territories
Western colonisation has had a devastating affect on the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people. This is evident throughout the generations. Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people struggle with contemporary impacts of western cultures, largely in the Northern Territory. These impacts brought in by predominately white societies, have literally poisoned the persons who chooses to indulge. Since western society, illnesses and the death rate has increased within Aboriginal communities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI) represent the oldest continuous culture in the world, representing an evolving cultural spectrum inclusive of tradition and contemporary practices (National aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health plan 2013–2023, 2016). Experts estimate that the number of ATSI people were at more than 770,00 at the time of the invasion in 1788 (Korff, 2016). However, the Population fell to its low of approximately 117,000 people in 1900, a decrease of 84% (Korff, 2016). At present, 3% of Australia’s population identify as Indigenous (Korff, 2016).
There is within this area an Aboriginal health care centre called, Geraldton Region Aboriginal Medical Service (GRAMS). This service provides primary healthcare to the Yamaji people as well as other indigenous groups within the Geraldton, the Midwest and Murchison areas of Western Australia. The care they provide are Maternal and child health, Adolescent health, Men’s and women’s health, Sexual health, Chronic disease prevention, intervention and self-management, Mental health, Prison health, Ear, eye and oral health, Communicable diseases. (Coffin. Julie, 2015) This service fit in with the WA government’s strategic intentions plan which is firstly to Support the Western Australian community to become healthier.
This sudden change still has an enormous effect on today’s Indigenous population. How is it fair that the oldest population of people die a decade younger than non-Indigenous Australians? The perpetuation of racism which is manifested in our society has left many Indigenous Australians in a disadvantaged position. Including through, limited access to education with adult literacy rates of just 30 percent and literacy rates of children under 15 more than 48 percent lower than non-Indigenous Australians, consequently means lower educational achievement rates and higher unemployment rates of 17.2 percent compared to 5.5 percent for non-Indigenous Australians (Australian Bureau of Statistics , 2013 ). These facts must be recognised to ensure real equality and a fair-go for Indigenous people.
Canada is known for its amazing healthcare and it is considered one of the best in the world. In Canada, healthcare is ‘universal’ to its citizens under the Heath Care Act. However, not everyone has equal access to healthcare, Aboriginals being some of them. Aboriginals have trouble getting the access they need because of socio-economic status, geography, lack of infrastructure and staff, language or cultural barriers an more. Aboriginals on reserve face many barriers when it comes to access to healthcare, they include cost, language, distance, climate, education and more.
I will have to learn how to set aside my feelings and emotions from my beliefs to give the best care for my patients. Aboriginal health practice seems too hard to understand, especially the chanting, usage of essence for rituals, other ceremonies that relates to their health practices. In addition, with the lack of experience, it might feel uncomfortable dealing with other cultures. Fear is also one of the issues that I will encounter by providing care, because I fear to provide care to the culture that I feel uncomfortable with, because I don’t believe in the same beliefs they have and that can create some