Week Twelve - ATSI Health Flashcards
Explain the key concepts of Indigenous Peoples? (7)
- Inheritors and practitioners of unique culture
- Unique social, cultural, economic and political characteristics
- Shared common problems
- Historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies
- Distinct from other sectors of the dominant society
- Non-dominant sectors of society
- Preserve, develop and transmit their ancestral territories and ethnic identity
What is an Indigenous Australian?
Someone who:
- Is of ATSI descent
- Identifies as ATSI
- Is accepted within the communities they live or have lived
What percentage of Australians are Indigenous?
3.3%
Among Indigenous Australians, how many identify as A, TSI or combined?
A = 91% TSI = 5% Combined = 4%
What is central to Indigenous wellbeing?
Culture
What is key to maintaining and passing cultural knowledge?
Indigenous languages are key to maintaining and passing cultural knowledge
How many Indigenous Australians speak an indigenous language as their first language?
11%
Where are Indigenous Australians more likely to live?
In rural and remote areas
What is the average age of Indigenous Australians
23 years
37.8 years non non-Indigenous Australians
Why is 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 is the life-expectancy for Indigenous Australian males and females? How different is this to non-Indigenous Australians
71.6 and 75.6
Live almost 10 years less than non-Indigenous Australians
What are life expectancies and death rates used for?
They are widely used as indicators of population health
Explain the death rate for Indigenous Australians compared to non- Indigenous Australians
Death rate for Indigenous Australians was almost twice the rate for non-Indigenous Australians in 2018
What are the main causes of death in Indigenous Australians
Ischaemic heart disease
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Explain the difference in suicide rates for Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians rate almost double that of non-Indigenous Australians
How many Indigenous Australians had at least one chronic condition?
46%
What are some mental health and behavioural conditions experienced by Indigenous Australians?
Anxiety (17%)
Depression (13%)
Smoking daily (37%)
Overweight/obese children (37%)
What are some strategic directions for closing the gap in Indigenous Australians 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 Australians health?
Failing to take account of Indigenous Australians values and complex circumstances
Failing to train and employ Indigenous Australians to contribute toward design, implementation and delivery of health programs
Funding issues in health programs
Unclear leadership of governance
Lack of research, evaluation and monitoring
What is commonly focussed on with Indigenous Australians?
Tendency to focus on deficits instead of strengths
What do we need to orientate our focus on?
Capacity building, resilience and cultural vitality
What is Capacity Building?
Providing opportunities for Indigenous Australians
What are the 3 important themes found in Indigenous Australians health and wellbeing research in what it means to be healthy?
Family and community connection in constructing health beliefs (eg. eating together).
Health-seeking behaviours, mental health status and the importance of physical activity
Peers and other influencers on social media (motivated change)
Dementia and Indigenous Australians
Higher in Indigenous Australians than non-Indigenous Australians
What are the determinants of drinking alcohol in Indigenous Australians
younger age male employment status level of income unfair treatment experiences
What are the consequences of alcohol use in Indigenous Australians?
Adverse effects on life satisfaction
Poorer mental health
Behavioural disorders
What is poor sleep associated with in Indigenous Australians
Increased risk of CVD, metabolic syndrome
Why do Indigenous Australians have poorer sleep?
Due to smoking and diabetes
What % do Indigenous Australians make up of the prison population?
27%
