Week 12: Indigenous Australians Flashcards
What 3 criteria have been identified for indigenous Australians?
Of aboriginal or torres strait islander descent
Identify as aboriginal or torres strait islander decent
Accepted within the communities they live or have lived
What unique things do indigenous people hold?
Social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from the dominant society
What have indigenous Australians sought?
Recognition of their identities, way of life and their rights to traditional land and territories for years
What common problems do indigenous Australians share?
Common problems are related to the protection of their rights and inequalities (such as health)
What are indigenous Australians determined to do?
Determined to preserve, develop and transmit their ancestral territories and ethnic identity. Allows continued existence of people in accordance to own cultural values
What percentage of the total Australian population is indigenous?
- 3%
- Hundred of groups with their own languages, histories and cultures
Among indigenous Australians, how many of them identify as aboriginal, torres strait islander or combined?
Aboriginal 91%
Torres Strait Islander 5%
Combined 4%
What has been identified as central to indigenous well-being?
Culture is central
What does language facilitate?
Plays a role in communicating and passing on cultural knowledge and practices. As well as contributing to a stronger sense of identify and belonging to community
How many Australians speak an indigenous language as their main language?
11%
Where are indigenous Australians more likely to live?
In urban or remote areas
What is the average age of indigenous Australians?
23 years vs. 37.8 for non-indigenous Australians
Why are there less indigenous Australians at the older segment of the population?
May be related to health inequalities, health care access and health determinants that lead to a lower life expectancy
What does life expectancy not determine?
Ones quality of life
What is the life expectancy of indigenous Australians in comparison to non-indigenous Australians?
Indigenous Australians live for almost 10 years less which is very concerning
What are life expectancies and death rates used for?
They are widely used as indicators of population health
Indigenous infant death rates?
Child deaths are significantly more prevalent in indigenous children in comparison to non-indigenous Australians
What are the main causes of death in indigenous Australians?
Ischaemic heart disease
Diabetes
Suicide rates in indigenous Australians?
Almost double than non-indigenous rates
How many indigenous Australians had at least one chronic condition?
46% - almost half
What are some mental health and behavioural conditions found in indigenous Australians in national health surveys ?
- Anxiety (17%)
- Depression (13%)
- Smoke daily (37%)
- Overweight/obese children (37%)
What are some strategic directions for closing the gap in indigenous health?
Focussing on children, youth, families and communities
Strengthening community-controlled health
Improving access to and responsiveness of mental health care
Coordinating resources, programs, initiatives and planning
Improving data and research
What doesn’t work when trying to close the gap in indigenous health care?
Failing to take into account indigenous values and circumstances
Not training and employing indigenous staff to contribute towards the design, implementation and delivery of health programs
Funding issues in health programs that lead to anger and disappointment in the system
Unclear leadership
What is commonly focussed on with indigenous Australians?
Tendency to focus on deficits instead of strengths
Reorientation is needed
What are the 3 important themes found in indigenous health and well-being research?
Family and community connection in constructing health beliefs
Health-seeking behaviours, mental health status and the importance of physical activity
Peers and other influences on social media (Motivates change and the development of attitudes and beliefs related to health and wellbeing - source of comparison for their own lives and motivation for self improvement)
Is dementia significant among indigenous populations?
It is actually substantially higher in this population
Indigenous people drink more - What are the usage determinants?
Younger age
Male gender
Employment status
Level of income Experience of unfair treatment
What is the impact of alcohol use?
Significant adverse effects on the life satisfaction of indigenous Australians
What is poor sleep associated with in indigenous Australians?
Increased CVD risk
Do indigenous Australians have a larger proportion of sleep problems? why? And what can it do to health?
A large proportion have sleep problems
- Smoking and diabetes negatively impact on sleep
- Associated with increased cholesterol levels which puts them at greater risk of CVD
Indigenous Australians in prison?
Although they only make up 3.3% of the population, they constitute 27% of the national prison population
Significant over representation
The gap has widened
