Health Issues Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

This essay discusses the health issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including chronic respiratory diseases. It explores the impact of demographic, social, and cultural factors on their health and suggests a health strategy and an effective program to improve their well-being.

Context of aboriginal and
torrres strait islander people
health
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
DISCUSSION..................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
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INTRODUCTION
Good health is a basic human right of every individual. it not only benefit socially but also
emotional and culture well being of entire community. the WHO has defined 5 social
determinants of health for a society (May, and et.al.,2020). It defined fundamental structure of
social hierarchy in which people work, live and grow. However, there is some health issue gap
in Australia. In the country there are vast cultural diversified people living in it. Also, there are
many people who are migrant and lives there. Among them aboriginal islander people are those
fundamental well being is impacted. This is because there are not getting primary health care
services. thus, there is health gap which exist in it (Fogarty, and Heron, 2018). Moreover, it is
found that many health disparities are there which has increased over time. The population is
highly suffering from access to basic health facilities. Hence, it has led to inequality in health due
to which their needs are not fulfilled. there are many health programs and initiatives run by
government which fulfil health of people. but there are several factors that impact on health.
Along with it, many health issues also exists within society.
In this essay it will be described about aboriginal and torres strait islander people health. Also,
health care strategy which can improve their health issue will be explained. Moreover, it will be
discussed about factors that impact on their health issue. At last essay will show an effective
program through which needs of community is fulfilled (Walter, 2016).
DISCUSSION
Health strategy
It is necessary to resolve the health issue which occurs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people. this is because it will enable in providing them care services and improving their
well being. Moreover, health inequality between indigenous and non indigenous community will
be overcome (Kildea, and Roe, 2019). It becomes responsibility of government to ensure that
chronic health issue does not exist and respiratory health problems is improved. Therefore, in
order to solve issue there needs to follow a health strategy. A national health strategy is been
used in this. It provides guidelines to develop policy, strategy, actions, etc to be taken to
improve chronic health disease. It is used at local, national and state level. So, this strategy is
been used to promote health in ATSI people. in this risk factors are identified and reduced. So, it
has enabled in supporting those people and improving quality of life by reducing risk factors.
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the government and local authorities engaged with nurses and hospitals to provide high quality
care to them. hence in this way health condition of community was improved.
Here, principle code of conduct for nurse 2018 state nurse and midwives must be registered
with NMBA and should met professional standards practice. In this professional standards are
code of conduct, standard for practice and code of ethics (Thomas, Lyons, and Borland,
2019).
Similarly, they can be educated about how to prevent from this disease, what diet to take,
and many other things. In addition, education sessions can be conducted by involving these
people. here, they can be provided info on this issue and measures to be taken by themselves to
prevent it. with this there well being can be enhanced and their psychology is changed. By
educating them about health and disease a plan can be formed to be followed by people. through
that it will be easy to promote healthy living among them and also improving their well being.
This will led to access of primary care services by people and taking prevention measures. So,
when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be aware about this disease and their
health then automatically it will result in resolving this issue. This will enable in enhancing their
well being as well (Avery,, 2018). Therefore, by following health education strategy chronic
health issue among that community can be improved. It will result in decrease in number of
people suffering from respiratory disease like asthma, influenza, etc. it can serve up chance of
understanding among them.
Health issue
Health issue refers to potential causes or problems which people within society face. It
may occur due to some factors such as environment, social, cultural etc. these health issues
highly impact on entire community well being. Thus, in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
community as well there exist various health issues such as asthma, diabetes, high blood
pressure, etc. which affect on their well being. Moreover, it is found that chronic respiratory
disease is a major health issue among these people. Within it respiratory disease is major health
issue that exist. It has highly impacted in negative way on health of people. 64% disease among
the people are chronic one (Harrison, and Sellwood, 2016). There is 39% gap in health
outcomes between indigenous and non indigenous (May and et.al.,2020). Furthermore, it is
evaluated that the causes of death due to respiratory disease is COPD, influenza, asthma and
other respiratory disease (Walter, 2016). In this all age group people from 25- 65 years are
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mostly suffering from any type of respiratory disease. Besides that, mortality rate of people is
increasing as well (Avery, 2018). As per (Canuto, and Brown, 2018) it is stated that 55%
suffering from COPD, 6% to asthma and 21% to influenza. It has become concern for this
community and government. But in recent time there is decline in mortality rate in respiratory
health issue. Though, chronic disease remain a concern or health issue in Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people (Calma, , Dudgeon, and Bray, 2017). due to it, people physical as well as
mental well being is highly impacted. It is found that in every 1 out of 5 people some type of
respiratory health issue is found. The community is not able to access primary health care
services. Besides, government is facing difficulty in solving issue due to many reasons. Thus,
they are focusing on it to reduce its impact on health of people.
Demographic, social and cultural factors
A health issue is impacted due to certain factors which exist either within community or
outside it. so, it is essential to identify those factors so that its impact can be mitigated. They may
vary on basis of issue and community. Similarly, in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
there are several factors like demographic, social and culture which affect on chronic health issue
of respiratory disease. It has been identified that demographic factor consists of age, gender,
income level, etc. so, many of these people remain under poverty so their income level is low.
Due to that they are not able to get primary health care services. In addition, people are not able
to fulfill their health care needs. Hence, income level is low due to which chronic health disease
among these people is rising (Lovett, Thurber and Maddox, , 2017).
Here, there is impact of social factor on this health issue. It is evaluated that Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people lives in back ward regions of Australia. Thus, the
environment and surrounding conditions are not good (Canuto, and Brown, 2018). It is found
that pollution level is high, they do not get clean drinking water, clean air to breathe, etc.
therefore, these all have resulted in impacting on their physical health adversely. Furthermore,
due to surrounding the quality of life is degrading. Hence, it has also led to increase in
respiratory health related issues. Many people are suffering from asthma, influenza, etc.
Similarly, cultural factor is also play crucial role in impacting on this health issue. This is
because of low health status of indigenous people as compared to non indigenous one. Due to it
they are not able to attain sustainable quality of life (Lovett, Thurber and Maddox, , 2017).
Besides that, cultural norms and beliefs followed by them is same and it has not changed since
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long. Therefore, their beliefs and values determine their health needs and thinking. With their
needs are not fulfilled in effective way. It has restricted their fundamental health needs to get
achieved. however, many other elements in it such as unemployment, illiteracy, low self esteem
has affected on their cultural pride. The long term sustainability is ineffective as people are not
aware about basic health care services. Thus, these all factors impact on increase in chronic
disease (Calabria,. and Banks, 2018).
Effective program
Apart from health strategy there is need to implement an effective health program as well
in order to fulfill needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander society. It will enable in setting
a framework of how their needs are to be met. Besides, it will be useful in identifying their
needs as well. so, here, chronic care model can be applied. It contain 6 areas that organization
need to focus on. Also, it emphasis on community and policy aspect in order to improve chronic
health disease. It was developed by Ed wagner. So, the 6 areas identified are as
Health system- here, an organization can be created which will provide high care quality
services to people. In that clinical leaders are seen as members of team. This will enable in
providing support to all levels and handling of all errors and other problems related to care.
Community – it state to mobilize community resources in order to meet patient needs. The
resources contain NGO, government school, etc. in addition, patient must be encouraged to
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engage in community programs, policy needs to be formed to enhance patient care (Wright,,
Briscoe, and Lovett, 2019).
Self management support- in this patient must be encouraged to manage their own health care.
they need to set goals , challenges and then monitor their own conditions. Also, they must
know how to use resources in managing their health. Here, self management strategies can be
used in it as well.
Delivery system design – it analyse that there must be effective and efficient support given to
patient in order to maintain health and well being. Moreover, within health system resources
must be managed in better way. Thus, roles and responsibilities of team members must be
defined, care team regularly take follow up, providing clinical management services to patient,
etc. (May, and et.al.,2020)
Decision support- there needs to have data and info in order to take effective decisions. The
clinical must have evidence based guidelines for chronic condition. The guidelines can be shared
with patient to engage them. Also, integrate expertise and primary care (Butler, . and Howard,
2019).
Clinical info system – here, data must be organized so that effective care services are given. For
that technology needs to be used. It enables in monitoring patient health status and reducing risk.
The system will provide timely reminder to patient and care providers.
So, with use of this model it will be easy to meet needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people. It contain all things required in it.
CONCLUSION
Hereby, the essay concludes that fundamental well being is human right for individual. There are
some SDH framework established by WHO. It determines social hierarchy of community. it is
evaluated that chronic disease is a major health issue among these people. Within it respiratory
disease is major health issue that exist. It has highly impacted in negative way on their well
being. in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people there are several factors like demographic,
social and culture which affect on health issue. As entire community remain under poverty so
their income level is low. It is evaluated that these people lives in back ward regions of
Australia. Thus, the environment and surrounding conditions are not good. They do not get
clean drinking water, clean air to breathe, etc. and pollution is high as well. other than this, low
health status of indigenous people as compared to non indigenous one. Due to it they are not able
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to attain sustainable quality of life. in order to solve this health issue in Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander, strategy of disease and health education can be followed. In that by educating
people about respiratory disease their health can be improved. chronic care model can be applied.
It contain 6 areas that organization need to focus on. They are Health system, Community , Self
management support, Delivery system design, Decision support and Clinical info system.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Avery, S., 2018. Culture is inclusion: A narrative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people with disability.
Butler, T.L. and Howard, K., 2019. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's domains of
wellbeing: A comprehensive literature review. Social science & medicine, 233, pp.138-
157
Calabria, B. and Banks, E., 2018. Absolute cardiovascular disease risk and lipid‐lowering
therapy among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Medical Journal of
Australia, 209(1), pp.35-41.
Calma, T., Dudgeon, P. and Bray, A., 2017. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and
emotional wellbeing and mental health. Australian Psychologist, 52(4), pp.255-260.
Canuto, K. and Brown, A., 2018. “I feel more comfortable speaking to a male”: Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander men’s discourse on utilizing primary health care
services. International Journal for Equity in Health, 17(1), p.185.
Fogarty, W. and Heron, M.J., 2018. Deficit discourse and strengths-based approaches: changing
the narrative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing. Deficit
Discourse and Strengths-based Approaches: Changing the Narrative of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing, p.viii.
Harrison, N. and Sellwood, J., 2016. Learning and teaching in Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander education. Oxford University Press.
Kildea, S. and Roe, Y., 2019. Reducing preterm birth amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander babies: a prospective cohort study, Brisbane, Australia. EClinicalMedicine, 12,
pp.43-51.
Lovett, R., Thurber, K.A. and Maddox, R., 2017. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
smoking epidemic: what stage are we at, and what does it mean. Public Health Res
Pract, 27(4), p.e2741733.
May, T., and et.al.,2020. Barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents: a mixed studies systematic
review. BMC Public Health, 20, pp.1-13.
Thomas, D.P., Lyons, L. and Borland, R., 2019. Predictors and reasons for starting and
sustaining quit attempts in a national cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
smokers. Drug and Alcohol Review, 38(3), pp.244-253.
Walter, M., 2016. Social exclusion/inclusion for urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people. Social Inclusion, 4(1), pp.68-76.
Wright, A., Briscoe, K. and Lovett, R., 2019. A national profile of aboriginal and Torres Strait
islander health workers, 2006–2016. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public
Health, 43(1), pp.24-26.
Alison, J.A. and Brooke, M., 2017. Australian and New Zealand Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Guidelines. Respirology, 22(4), pp.800-819.
Online
Chronic care model, 2018. Online [available through] :
<http://www.improvingchroniccare.org/index.php?p=1:_Models&s=363>
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