Health promotion journal of Australia

Running head: ABORIGINAL HEALTH
ABORIGINAL HEALTH
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note

ABORIGINAL HEALTH
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Introduction:
Health inequalities between the aboriginal and non-aboriginal population have become a
long-standing challenge that is affecting more than a thousand to the aboriginal population every
year. A range of literature highlighted that the morbidity rate of the aboriginal population is
substantially higher compared to a non-indigenous population where poverty, lack of health care
access, lack of employment and lack of health literacy are major contributing factors (Banham,
Karnon & Lynch 2019). As discussed by Campbell et al. (2018), chronic diseases such as
diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory diseases are developed in childhood in
Indigenous Australians, which is accounting for approximately two-thirds mortality rate gap
observed in between these two populations and contributing to early morbidity. Hence, for
reducing high disparities in health outcome between two populations, “closing the gap policy”
was designed by the government of Australia. The purpose of the assignment is to analyses
closing the gap strategy in the context of a 57 years woman Judy who was diagnosed with type II
diabetes and recently came home. This paper will also discuss the importance of closing the gap
policy, three social determinates of health that is affected by her situation and role of Aboriginal
medical services along with Aboriginal Liaison Officers in the following paragraphs.
Discussion:
Summary of closing the gap policy and associated target:
For decreasing the huge discrepancies between non-indigenous and indigenous
Australian in terms of the inaccessibility of health care, short life expectancy and lack of
employment, “closing the gap policy” was designed by the federal government
(Healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au 2019). The policy is considered as the formal commitment which was

ABORIGINAL HEALTH
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made by a diverse layer of governing bodies in Australia (federal state, territory and local) after
assessment of the social justice report that was published in 2005. The report suggested a wide
range of physical and mental challenges experienced by the indigenous population that
contributed to their health inequalities (Www.humanrights.gov.2019). The report suggested that
the premature death rate of the indigenous population is 15% higher compared to the non-
indigenous population (Www.pmc.gov.au. 2019). The indigenous population 2.9 times as likely
to have a shorter lifespan compared to the non-indigenous population. Hence, in March 2008, the
population of two diverse communities is working together in order to reduce health disparities
by 2030 (Hill et al. 2017). The importance of the policy is that this policy aimed at
unemployment in 2018, access to the health services by 2020, increase life expectancy by 2031
(Healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au 2019). Consequently, a significant number of indigenous individuals
will be able to seek help care services and employment opportunities.
Considering the target of CGT in relation to the patient, the target of access to the health
care service can apply to her. Since Judy worked as a primary school teacher for part time,
because of mobility issues she has now retired. In this context, access to health care services can
address her need for a dressing of leg ulcer and mobility issues. Judy lives far away from the
community health care services and she does not own any car. In this case, the target of the CGT
for giving access to the health care services can provide patient with the facilities of dressing of
her ulcer on daily basis and it will reduce her issues with transportation as health professionals
can address other needs of the patient (Smith et al. 2018).
Three social determinants in relationship with three benefits: