Australian Healthcare System: Historical and Political Influences and RN Role in Nursing

Running head: AUSTRALIAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Australian healthcare system
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1AUSTRALIAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Australia comprises of crucial elements and a unique history that comprises of
Indigenous population, British colonization, cultures and immigration that has a direct impact on
individual health and the entire healthcare system. The cultural diversity, demographic and
political changes that took place in Australia present challenging issues in healthcare delivery
and system. Indigenous population, Aboriginal Australians report poor health as compared to the
rest Australian community. Historical influences, the impact of colonization made Aboriginals
suffer where they are moved out of their lands and forced to make a living. This acted as a
guiding force that shaped Aboriginal health and account for erasure of economic and political
marginalization and institutional racism that exist today (Sherwood, 2013). Another factor is
political influence where establishment of health policy is the key to impact population health
positively in the Australian healthcare system (Badland et al., 2014). Therefore, the following
essay will focus on these two key influences that shaped Australian healthcare delivery and RN
role in nursing.
In Australia, colonization had a devastating effect on the lives of Aboriginals who lived
on their native lands for thousands of years. After the British claimed possession, there was
direct conflict, dispossession and disease. Aboriginals declined to a larger extent due to
introduction of new infections and diseases, settler acquisition of native lands and violent and
direct conflict with colonisers (Hole et al., 2015). The immediate consequence of this
colonization was wave of infections and epidemic diseases like measles, smallpox and influenza.
Colonial processes have contributed majorly to contemporary disparities in health between
Aboriginals and general population. Racism is an overlapping and intersecting phenomenon that
explains Aboriginal disadvantage and health inequalities that they are experiencing until today.
The established impact of racism and disadvantage, invoking colonization is the major cause of

2AUSTRALIAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
ill-health and health disparities among the Aboriginals. They have worse health and over-
represented among disadvantaged and poor with low life expectancies. The major health
disparities exist in terms of access to treatment and high prevalence of major illnesses like
cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and obesity (Herring, Spangaro, Lauw & McNamara,
2013).
With the colonization, annihilation of Indigenous population started and they experience
inequality and poverty as a contemporary reflection of systemic discrimination. The racism
against Aboriginals is expressed in healthcare settings where they have longer waiting times,
disrespectful and culturally inappropriate treatment and fewer referrals. This in turn is increasing
the burden of chronic diseases among the Indigenous population and service providers diminish,
demean or disempower the well-being and cultural identity of the Aboriginals. They have
unequal and reduced access to health services with increase exposure to poor housing, low level
of employment, education and food. Racism and negative experiences of health has contributed
to ill mental health and made them prone to risk taking behaviours like smoking, alcohol
consumption and illicit drug use especially among young Aboriginals (Horyniak et al., 2013).
The prevalence of discrimination, health inequality in Australia and its detrimental effects on
Aboriginal health is challenging the entire healthcare system. To provide better patient care,
disease prevention and effective access to healthcare for Indigenous population, Australian
healthcare system is trying to bridge the health inequality gap.
The Australian government is calling for making Indigenous health a national priority in
order to improve their health. This racism has severe impact on the Aboriginal health outcome
through pathways like risky behaviours, chronic stress, lack of screening and preventative
measures and biased healthcare professional-patient relationships. In addition to burden of