Indigenous Australian Health Perspectives

This assignment examines a research paper exploring the factors influencing health behaviors among Indigenous Australians living in urban communities. Students analyze the main thesis, findings, methodology, validity, reliability, accuracy, and generalizability of the paper. They also evaluate the paper's usefulness for policymakers, researchers, educators, and healthcare professionals, discussing its relevance to initiatives like 'Closing the Gap'. Finally, students express their agreement or disagreement with the paper's arguments and provide a summary of their overall perspective.

7304MED HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS - READING LOG TEMPLATE
Student Name:
Student Number:
Criterion Response to Criterion
Correct Citation (in
APA6 format)
(Waterworth et al., 2016)
What is the main
thesis of the paper
The thesis of the paper is based on the
factors that cause difference in health
outcomes of indigenous West Australians
compared to the non-indigenous
Australians.
What are the main
findings of the
work?
The main findings of the include the
indigenous Australians that were living in
urban communities consider racism,
cultural and social connections, and
personal aspects as important aspects of
health behaviour. Indigenous ways of
knowing influence the health of
indigenous Australians. Cultural identity is
considered as important aspect of
personal identity and health to the
indigenous Australians. According to the
participants, the cultural practices
contributed positively to the physical
health. Community centres where the
indigenous Australians can meet and
convey teachings and messages helped to
main a positive health and wellbeing. Even
racism hindered the indigenous
Australians from communicating
effectively with the non-indigenous
Australians. The participants of this work
revealed that for effective communication,
they would like to be administered and
governed by someone who belongs from
their community.
How are you
assured of accuracy
The article is accurate and well researched
with several citations in other articles. The

Criterion Response to Criterion
within the paper data mentioned are sourced from
Australian Bureau of Statistics and
Australian Institute of Health and welfare,
which depicts its accuracy.
How are you
assured of
Reliability of the
measurements
used in the paper
The research is based on 11 focus groups
and the findings are emphasizing on the
sociological and the health aspects of the
indigenous Australians. Hence,
measurements cannot be quantified.
How are you
assured of the
Validity of the
results
This paper has a logical sense and are in
accordance with the referred articles.
Hence, it is a valid article.
Can the findings be
generalized to the
wider community?
The research is based on 11 focus groups
which belong to the same community of
indigenous Australians that are
experiencing the health issues. Hence, the
findings can be generalized to the same
community as a whole.
Describe what you
agree with and/or
what you disagree
with in the paper.
According to the article, the issues like
racism, cultural and social connections,
personal aspects of the Indigenous
Australians play a major role in
determining the disparities in the health
condition with the non-indigenous
Australians. I strongly agree with the
views of (National Aboriginal Health
Strategy Working Party, 1989; Priest et al.,
2012) which states greater emphasis must
be placed on the on the indigenous
definition of health to gain further
understanding of the health issues.
How useful (or not)
was the paper and
why have you
reached this
conclusion?
The paper was useful in determining the
Socio-cultural issues experienced by the
Indigenous Australians and why there are
differences in health outcomes compared
to the non-indigenous Australians. Which
are helpful for the policy makers,

Criterion Response to Criterion
researchers, educators and health
professionals in the delivery of healthcare
to the Australian healthcare system. Even
the article emphasises on how the
Australian government is working to
reduce the incidence of health issues on
the indigenous Australians by initiatives
like “Closing the Gap”.
*Use the definitions provided in the assessment instructions for each criteria listed in the left hand
criterion column of this template to guide your response to the criterion.
**To calculate your word limit, please be advised that this template contains 100 words when blank

Reference list:
Houston, S. (1989). National Aboriginal Health Strategy Working Party. Aboriginal and Islander Health
Worker Journal, 13(4), 7. Available
at:<http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=293151944018426;res=IELHEA> IS
SN: 1037-3403. [cited 22 Nov 17].
Priest, N., Mackean, T., Davis, E., Briggs, L., & Waters, E. (2012). Aboriginal perspectives of child health
and wellbeing in an urban setting: Developing a conceptual framework. Health Sociology
Review, 21, 180–195. https://doi.org/10.5172/hesr.2012.21.2.180
Waterworth, P., Dimmock, J., Pescud, M., Braham, R., & Rosenberg, M. (2016). Factors affecting
indigenous west Australians’ health behavior: Indigenous perspectives. Qualitative health
research, 26(1), 55-68. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1049732315580301