HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS: Aboriginal peoples in Australia

Question 1

Australia

Answer 1

ranked 6th for life expectancy among OECD countries

indigenous people make up 3% of Australia’s population

Question 2

what are the variations in life expectancy between the Aboriginal peoples in Australia and non-aboriginal people?

Answer 2

Aboriginal life expecatnacy for men is estimated to be 10.6 years lower than that of non-indigenous men, and 9.5 years lower for women

according to the UN, the quality of life for Aboriginal people is the second worst in the world because of

• poor housing
• dispossession of their traditional lands
• low education level
• high unemployment
• hidden ethnic discrimination
• inability of politicians to address Aboriginal problems
• use of illicit substances and alcohol abuse
• heavy smoking

physical factors also play a part due to there remoteness of the indigenous populations limiting their access to healthcare