Indigenous health and wellbeing initiatives

Question 1

‘Close the gap’ initiative

Answer 1

The campaigns goal is to raise the health and life expectancy of aboriginal and Torres strait Islander people to that of the non-indigenous population within a generation.

Question 2

There are 6 main targets of the Close the Gap campaign:

Answer 2

• Close the gap in life expectancy within a generation
• Halve the gap in mortality rate for indigenous children under five within a decade
• Insure all indigenous four-year-olds in remote communities have access to early childhood education within five years
• Halve the gap for indigenous students in reading, writing and numerous see within a decade
• Halve the gap for indigenous students in year 12 attainment or equivalent attainment rates by 2020
• Halve the gap in employment outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians within a decade.

Question 3

Aboriginal road to good health

Answer 3

The ‘Aboriginal Road to Good Health’ program is a type 2 diabetes prevention program for Victorian Indigenous people and their families.
The Road to Good Health program is designed to support Aboriginal Health Workers and health professionals working with Aboriginal communities to promote healthy lifestyles.

Question 4

Road to Good Health benefits:

Answer 4

• helps you choose healthier habits so you can be strong for your family and community;
• teaches you how to prevent type 2 diabetes and other problems like heart disease and high blood pressure;
• is run by Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal health services; and
• is FREE, and you can do it with your partner, a friend or family member.

Question 5

Elements of a successful program:

Answer 5

• Action areas of the Ottawa charter – public policy; supportive environment; community action, develop personal skills, reorient health services.
• Addresses factors of health- sociocultural barriers, environmental and culturally appropriate
• Equity- Targets those that need it most
• Sustainable- pass on to future generations.
• Include indigenous as leaders or providers
• Accessible- No cost or mobile etc.

Question 6

Evaluating indigenous programs

Answer 6

o Is it Affordable?
 Needs to be affordable in long term
 Involves partnerships to keep costs low
 Is it affordable (free/low cost) for communities and governments to implement?
o Is it Equitable?
 Provide all with equal access to services that promote HHD by removing barriers that prevent some members improving
 Does it include women, men, those living in poverty, focus on those in need?
 Does it focus on those living in rural areas?
o Is it Appropriate?
 Must address specific needs of community, do thy get a say?
 Does it involve the local people in the planning, implementation, and decision making?
 Does it focus on education or training which can be passed on to others?
 Does it respect cultural values and ensure cultural sensitivity?
 Is it transparent, and are the organisations running the program held accountable?
 Does it focus on results?

Question 7

Feedin’ the mob

Answer 7

o A nutrition, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle program for Indigenous Australians in Whittlesea, Victoria. It teaches the benefits of healthy eating and lifestyles, and targets teenagers, parents, carers, and people living with chronic illness and Elders.
 Funded by the federal government and supported by the Whittlesea Council. This commitment to funding is an example of building healthy public policy
 It develops personal skills by teaching the benefits of healthy eating and lifestyle