Aboriginal and indigenous

Question 1

Biological?

Answer 1

• Higher rates of obesity
o Obesity linked to Syndrome X (collective term for a range of conditions that increase risk of CVD and diabetes) – major problem in Indigenous population
• Higher rates of hypertension
• Higher rates of impaired glucose regulation and diabetes (more likely to develop it and die from it earlier)
• More likely to have low birth weight/premature babies

Question 2

Behavioural?

Answer 2

• Higher rates of tobacco smoking
• Although more abstain from drinking alcohol, alcohol abuse is more common.
• More illicit drug use
• Lower rates of physical activity
• Diet changed from being high in fibre and protein and low in saturated fats before colonisation to being high in processed carbohydrates and saturated fats
• Higher rates of STI’s, so presumably higher rates of unsafe sex
• Lower immunisation rates

Question 3

Social?

Answer 3

• Lower SES
• More likely to be unemployed
• Social exclusion (including racism, due to issues faced after colonisation)
• More likely to experience food insecurity
• Less likely to access healthcare – many believe Western medicine is inappropriate and associate hospitals with death

Question 4

Physical environment?

Answer 4

• More people live in rural and remote areas – same stuff
• Poor quality housing (and housing), water and sanitation
• Lower access to healthcare and services eg. Medicare-funded services, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and private GP’s (often due to location)

Question 5

Health status outcomes?

Answer 5

• Life expectancy about 10 years less than other Australians
• Higher mortality rates in each age group, including infant mortality
• Higher death rates from injury
• Higher burden of disease
• More likely to report (very) high levels of psychological distress
• More likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, chronic kidney disease, cancer (and lower 5 year survival rates) and asthma