Health Issues on Indigenous Australians: Historical, Social and Political Processes

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Impacts of historical, social and political Processes to the health of indigenous people in
Australia
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HEALTH ISSUES ON INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS 2
Introduction
Health issues have raised eyebrows amongst the indigenous people in Australia over
the decades as the country experiences a palatable change in cultural practices. It is
noticeable that through these accounts: historical, social, and political, all attest to the
undisputable topic of discussion. Studies show that indigenous people in Australia continue
to experience significantly poorer health outcomes than their non-Indigenous counterparts
(Rouen, Clough, & West, 2019 pg32). The research bases on review journal articles,
academic resources, and other wordily-effective published works of other authors.
Body
First and foremost, the term indigenous people refer to the 'original' inhabitants of a
particular region or locality, upholding their cultural beliefs and enormous practices. Non-
indigenous people refer to those who inhabited a specific area then adapted to the people's
way of culture, including being adequately incorporated and staying aligned with the cultural
advances (Paradies, 2016 pg 23). The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Plan’s aim is to guide policies and programs to improve the health of the Australian
indigenous people over the next decade until 2023 and has been well inculcated.
Historical processes have had an impact on the health of Australian Indigenous
people: Before assimilation got introduced in Australia, racism was at its peak. During
colonization in Australia, the indigenous were pushed to settle into reserves and mission
centres where they had the colonialists restrict them from engaging in activities. Such
activities include practising traditional ceremonies, marrying, hunting, and also exclusive
interaction with the other relatives. In some cases, the indigenous people were even barred
from speaking their language (Zambas, & Wright, 2016 pg. 66-70). These restrictions from

HEALTH ISSUES ON INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS 3
the colonialists at times would result in a conflict, which would, in turn, lead to loss of lives,
also in other cases, the colonialists would defile the young ladies causing poor circulation of
diseases within the communities. The change in historical times have gradually helped those
who were regarded as indigenous people; a good sense of freedom and also accessibility to
modern health facilities, (Axelsson, Kukutai & Kippen, 2016 pg 33) Despite some
communities practising their cultural aspects, the norms are not as strongly considerable as
they were in the past. The continuous interaction between the indigenous and non-indigenous
people has also led to erosion of some past medicinal practices and has helped embrace the
new hospitable and professional practices.
Impact of social processes towards the health of indigenous people in Australia is also
evident. (O'Faircheallaigh, 2015 pg.12). Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
indigenous peoples’ health status has been so weak compared to any other place within the
state. The social gap between the indigenous and the non-indigenous people has been there in
decades; however, this has seen some gradual positive change over the last few years.
Statistically, the death rate for indigenous Australians before the age of 65 years is two times
the death rate of non-indigenous people (Rice, Haynes, Royce & Thompson, 2016).
Socially, the indigenous people tend to accommodate themselves in houses with
extremely poor conditions, which exposes them to higher risks of contracting diseases. Also,
the indigenous people at most times do not get easy access to health care facilities and proper
health control measures such as adequate housing, sufficient sewerage systems, and rubbish
collection services. The indigenous people cannot be able to afford a satisfying lifestyle due
to their low sources of income (if any). For example, the 2001 census which brought up the
following statistics and conclusions (Gray & Tesfaghiorghis, 2018);