Contribution of Aboriginal Nurse Diabetes Educators in Managing Diabetes in Aboriginal Population

Aboriginal Health

INTRODUCTION
Australian aboriginal culture is characterized by the presence of numerous practices and
ceremonies that date back to 50, 000 years. aboriginal Australian people comprise of the various
indigenous people of Australia and its various islands. They are the people who have developed
across the country for a period of 50, 000 years. As compared to the non- indigenous people, the
health outcomes for aboriginal people are worse with higher rates for most health conditions.
One of the significant health issue that aboriginal people suffer from is diabetes (Atkinson‐
Briggs & et.al., 2021). It has been found that the likeliness of aboriginal people to develop
diabetes is four times as compared to the non- indigenous Australians. In this regard, it can be
argued that in order to reduce the present and future burden of diabetes, it is vital to deliver
culturally safe health services through health workers that belong to aboriginal and indigenous
background.
It has been found that the contribution of aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurse
diabetes educators has been outstanding (NACCHO Aboriginal Health News Alerts, 2020). In
the present essay, a case study regarding the contribution of aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
nurse diabetes educators will be discussed. Further, the biomedical and historical context related
to the case study will be analyzed. Lastly, the implications of the cast study for the field of
nursing will be provided.
Overview of the case study
The scenario involves Maali Rose, who is an Australian Aboriginal woman and lives in
Broome in Western Australia. At the age of 26, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and since
then is being assisted by Kiara who is a nurse Diabetes Educator with Aboriginal Background.
In a recent interview, she asserted that her clients have benefitted to a great extent due to her
background. The same has been agreed to by Maali Rose who could adopt a new lifestyle only
with Kiara’s support and advice.
Type 2 diabetes is defined as the condition which is characterized by the inability of cells
to utilize blood sugar form the production of energy. Throughout the essay, a Nurse Diabetes
Educator will be referred to as a nurse who is responsible for care and management of people
suffering from diabetes.
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Biomedical context
This paragraph provides information regarding the biomedical context in relation to the
provided case study. Type 2 diabetes is a long term illness in which the body is unable to
produce sufficient insulin. The processes responsible for regulation and usage of sugar become
impaired as a result of which the level of sugar circulating in the blood increases. This rise in the
blood sugar level eventually leads to numerous diseases of immune, circulatory and nervous
systems. As per the self-reported data obtained from ABS 2018- 19, 7.9 per cent of aboriginal
Australia suffered from diabetes (Diabetes, 2020). Also, it was fond that the risk of type 2
diabetes in aboriginal Australians is much higher as compared to the non- indigenous
populations. Further, the onset of diabetes in aboriginal population was found to be early as
compared to other Australian populations (Chuter & et.al., 2019). It can be analyzed that
aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people also face the risk f developing complications
associated with diabetes at an early age.
There are various reasons behind the increased prevalence of diabetes in aboriginal
populations. Firstly, a combination of cultural, historical and social factors contribute to high
prevalence of the condition. It was also accompanied by proximal health risk factors. Secondly,
not only are these populations more likely to be obese, but also have lipoprotein cholesterol of
abnormally high density (Burrow and Ride, 2016). . In the case scenario, Maali Rose was
diagnosed with diabetes at an early age if 26 years. although the information about presence of
obesity and history of diabetes about Maali has not been provided, but she was constantly
supported by the diabetes educator nurse from aboriginal background. Advice about the
necessary lifestyle changes and diabetes management would have been provided by Kiara to
Maali, thus resulting in better outcomes.
Historical context
The historical context needs to be analyzed in relation to aboriginal population and
diabetes. One of the crucial determinants of health in aboriginal population can be regarded as
colonialism which not only led to systematic discrimination but also poverty and racism (Straw
& et.al., 2019). Following it, there was a rapid transition to western lifestyle. Post colonization,
excessive disruptions were experienced by the aboriginal people in relation to their socio
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