Diabetes Care and Aboriginal Rights

This assignment examines the importance of equitable access to high-value diabetes care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It delves into key ethical principles such as equity, self-determination, right to control intellectual property, and access to policies and facilities. The document emphasizes the need for inclusive decision-making processes that empower these communities in managing their health.

Running head: HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES
Health policies and practices

HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES 1
Health topic: Sexually transmitted Diseases (STD)
Infections that transfer from one person to another due to sexual connection are known as
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Parasites, viruses, bacteria and yeast are the reasons of
STDs. Types of STDs are more than 20 types, some of them are: Genital herpes, Syphilis,
HIV/AIDS, Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis, HPV, Gonorrhea, etc. Both men and women get
affected by STDs but it is more severe for pregnant women as it affect the health of the baby.
STDs caused by parasites, yeast or bacteria are curable and through antibiotics is can be treated
but STDs caused by a virus it is not curable but can be controlled with the help of medicines
(Beigi, 2012).
Guidelines for prevention
 Proper education should be provided to the person who is at risk for avoiding STDs and
counseling should be provided so that person can strongly fight with the disease.
 Preventable vaccine for STDs should be provided to the person at risk.
 Persons who are infected with the disease i.e. STD and person with symptoms of STDs
should be identified.
 Infected person should be provided with proper treatment, consoling, vaccinations and
diagnosis.
 Infected persons sex partner should be identified and to be provided effective counseling,
treatment and evaluation of the partner should be done (Center for Disease Control and
Prevention 2015).
Symptoms of STD
Women
Urination is painful, vesicle in reproductive organ, itching in vaginal and rashes on reproductive
organ, white discharge (STD Check 2017).
Men
Vesicle on reproductive organ, urination is painful, rashes on reproductive organ, itching, spots
on reproductive organ, white or yellow discharge, etc. (STD Check 2017)
Health policies for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Policies are formed to explain the worth of the tools used in public health. For the prevention of
STD, policies are basis in the department of public health. There are different laws formed for

HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES 2
the prevention of STD except HIV and programs were launched for checkups, treatment, clinics,
expedited partner therapy.
Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT)
EPT is a strategy that is depend on the buddies to bring treatment to associates and shows the
reduction in randomized measured trials of gonorrhea reinfection and shows results of evaluation
and policy assessment whether they are beneficial for STD prevention or hampering the efforts.
EPT policy for awareness and changes in the policies can act as a barrier and can be related to
the practical changes followed in EPT policies. In the year of 2014, EPT was allowed in 35
authorities, theoretically permissible in 9 and expected banned in 6 (Leichliter, and Seiler, 2017).
STD Screening Policies
Multiple studies are conducted for the evaluation of STD screening policies. In the support of
this policy studies were done for noting screening’s cost effectiveness. Although limited number
of research were conducted with regards to existence of the policies in settings of health delivery
and in the levels of government and organizations. For example, a research was conducted for
syphilis screening law at the state level, CDC and medical groups suggested this screening. The
results of the research was that the most of the authorities comprises with the law of syphilis
screening is important at the time of pregnancy or delivery (Klausner, and Hook, 2007).
Principles of Health promotion
 Health promotion do not only focus on people suffering from STD, it focus on the total
population in the matter of their daily routine of life. It included children, youth and old
people and focus on improving their health (National Youth Health Programme 2017).
 Health promotion help person to recognize the infection risk by its own sexual activities.
 Health promotion help in recognizing risk due to the sexual activities of partner.
Principles of Primary health care
All the people of the country should participate in the promotion of their own health and its
important element is welfare. It is the responsibility of all the citizen of the country and PHC
treatment can only be attained with the participation of society in development, implementation
and preservation of the services if health.

HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES 3
Principles of Advocacy
Involvement of people affected by HIV: This principle encourage the involvement of people
affected by HIV is the decision making that can influence their life. This principle also
encourage the empowerment of young people, women and others.
Principle of Equity
Principle of equity was formed to protect the rights of the people, as it explains that all the
people have equal rights and will be treated equally. Working party of National Aboriginal
Health Strategy explains that by providing health policies to the people of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander will not be enough they should be provided equality in terms of society, culture
and emotionally.
Principle of Self-determination
Principle of Self-determination means people take control of their own future and handle the
issues (The Royal Australian College of General practitioners 2016). Communities like
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander control their own future and decide the solutions for the
issues faced by them.
Principle of Right
Rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, absolute rights of community control and
self-determination are included in this and given importance. National Aboriginal Health
Strategy recommended that institutes those who provide graduate and undergraduate degree in
medical, nursing should compulsorily include the study of history, issues and culture of
aboriginal and aboriginal people should be involved while making and teaching these studies.
Principle of Access
Government is working a lot for improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people and trying to fulfill the gap in health outcomes. ACT health policies was implemented by
the government of Australia for improving the health. For this government has done lot of
investments (ACT Government 2016). Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people have all right
to access the health facilities available.

HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES 4
References
ACT Government 2016, Policies, viewed 22 October 2017, http://www.health.act.gov.au/our-
services/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-health/policies
Beigi, R.H 2012, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2015, ‘Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment
Guidelines’, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, vol.64, no.3, pp. 1-137,
https://www.cdc.gov/Mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6403.pdf
Klausner, J.D and Hook, E.W 2007, Current Diagnosis & Treatment of Sexually Transmitted
Diseases, McGraw Hill Professional, New York.
Leichliter, J. S and Seiler, N 2017, STD Prevention Policies in the United States: Evidence and
Opportunities, viewed 20 October 2017,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5283689/
National Youth Health Programme 2017, Principles of Health Promotion. Viewed 20 October
2017, http://www.youthhealth.ie/content/principles-health-promotion
STD Check 2017, Male STD Warning Signs & Symptoms, viewed 20 October 2017,
https://www.stdcheck.com/std-symptoms-men.php
STD Check 2017, STD Symptoms in Women, viewed 20 October 2017,
https://www.stdcheck.com/std-symptoms-women.php
The Royal Australian College of General practitioners 2016, Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander health, viewed 20 October 2017, http://curriculum.racgp.org.au/statements/aboriginal-
and-torres-strait-islander-health/

HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES 5
Health topic: Cancer
Related diseases together named as cancer. Cells of body start dividing and spread into the
tissues in the cancer. Body’s any part can be affected by the cancer that is made of cells. Body
cells develop and divide into different cells and take the place of the cells that are old and
damaged and this process gets disturbed due to the effect of cancer. Cancer cells that divide and
spread in the tissues called tumors (Davis, 2017). Most of the cancer tumors are solid but in the
case of blood cancer like leukemia it is not necessary to form solid tumor. In malignant tumor of
cancer divide and spread into the tissues present in their surroundings and the process of cell
formulation stops and affected cells flow in the blood and form tumors in other parts of the body.
Benign tumor is different from malignant tumor in this tumor do not spread and these types of
tumors do not grow again but malignant tumor have chances to grow again but benign brain
tumor can be hazardous for the life of human. Cancer is said to be a genetic disease as it is
caused due to the changes in the genes that control the functioning of the cells. Environmental
factors also cause cancer like radiation and chemical in the smoke of the tobacco. Person infected
with cancer has different combination of genetic changes. Changes occur according to the
growth of the cancer in the body of patient.
Health policies for Cancer
Policies are provided by the government for prevention from cancer and early detection services.
ACT policies are implemented by the government. These policies are essential for reducing the
effect of cancer. It also help cancer patient to remain free from cancer and stay healthy. Half of
the death due to cancer can be prevented by following these policies, money can be saved that
will be used for advanced treatment of the disease and disease can be detected at earlier stage.
Some of the policies importance are
Vaccines and preventive services to be covered: Services like clinical preventive services,
vaccinations suggested by committee of advisory should be covered under Medicaid expansion
plans and private insurance without cost-sharing (Public Policy Resources 2017). Tobacco
cessation treatment, to reduce obesity interventions for weight loss, cancer screening and vaccine
for cancer are included in these services.
Medicare prevention: All the eligible beneficiary of Medicare can visit annual wellness and no
charges are applied for services of prevention (American Cancer Society 2017).

HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES 6
Public health fund and prevention: National investments are created through this fund and
programs of public health to recover health and lesser health care charges. Cervical and national
breast cancer and campaign for former smokers programs were funded through this fund.
National prevention policy creates detailed reference for national movements by government and
non-government organization, with plans and policies to decrease the occurrence of definite
preventable cancer types.
Principles of Health promotion
Health promotion is focused in the direction improving the health. This involves co-operation
among the segments beyond health care showing the variety of situations like Cancer effect
health (Eldredge, et al. 2016). Smoke free air policies controlling the intervention of tobacco, this
policies was implemented to keep hospitality and workplace venues smoke free (Hyland,
Barnoya and Corral, 2017).
Principles of Primary health care
Health services should be provided to all the people whether they are poor or rich, it should be
shared equally in spite of the ability of people to pay or not (Rubin, et al 2015). People suffering
from Cancer have right to avail these services.
Principles of Advocacy
Equal opportunity: Important principle of advocacy is that all people should be valued whether
person is fit or not and they should not be ignored. It is the basic principle that people those
suffering from diseases like cancer should be respected and to be involved in the decision
making (Healthcare Whisperer 2010).
Principle of Equity
Principle of Equity explains that all the people should be involved while making the policies and
implementing them. Services provided for Cancer prevention like treatments, screening
programs, vaccinations, diagnosis, etc. should involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples in the formation and implementation (Meiklejohn, et al 2017).
Principle of Self-determination
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have right and are capable to make decisions about
disease like Cancer and their views will be given importance and will be respected. People
belonging from normal and developed areas should motivate these communities and support.

HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES 7
Principle of Right
People belong from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island should know their rights and can use
these rights. They have the right to be treated equally and no discrimination will be done with
them.
Principle of Access
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have right to access the services and facilities
related to Cancer. Government and private organizations are working a lot to improve health of
these communities by implementing and investing in the policies (Hart, M.A., Burton, A. and
Hart, K. eds. 2016).

HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES 8
References
American Cancer Society 2017, Medicare Coverage for Cancer Prevention and Early Detection,
viewed 14 October 2017, https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/cancer-screening-
guidelines/medicare-coverage-for-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection.html
Davis, C.P 2017, Cancer, viewed 20 October 2017,
https://www.medicinenet.com/cancer/article.htm
Eldredge, L.K.B., Markham, C.M., Ruiter, R.A., Kok, G. and Parcel, G.S. 2016, Planning health
promotion programs: an intervention mapping approach, John Wiley & Sons.
Hart, M.A., Burton, A. and Hart, K. eds. 2016, International Indigenous Voices in Social Work,
Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Healthcare Whisperer 2010, The Principle and Brief History of Patient Advocacy, viewed 25
October 2017, https://healthcarewhisperer.com/the-principle-and-brief-history-of-patient-
advocacy/
Hyland, A., Barnoya, J. and Corral, J.E 2017, ‘Smoke-free air policies: past, present and future’,
BMJ journals, vol. 21, no. 2.
Meiklejohn, J.A., Garvey, G., Bailie, R., Walpole, E., Adams, J., Williamson, D., Martin, J.,
Bernardes, C.M., Arley, B., Marcusson, B. and Valery, P.C. 2017, Follow-up cancer care:
perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer survivors, Supportive Care in
Cancer, 25(5), pp.1597-1605.
Public Policy Resources 2017, Strong Prevention Policies Will Reduce the Cancer Burden,
viewed 20 October 2017, https://www.acscan.org/policy-resources/strong-prevention-policies-
will-reduce-cancer-burden
Rubin, G., Berendsen, A., Crawford, S.M., Dommett, R., Earle, C., Emery, J., Fahey, T., Grassi,
L., Grunfeld, E., Gupta, S. and Hamilton, W 2015, The expanding role of primary care in cancer
control, The Lancet Oncology, 16(12), pp.1231-1272.

HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES 9
Health topic: Diabetes
When the blood sugar of the body is high it results in diabetes. Blood glucose is the source of
energy that comes from the food intake. Glucose of the food is transferred with the help of a
hormone known as Insulin is the body cells and used for energy (National institute of Diabetes
and Digestive and Kidney disease 2017). It can also happen that the body does not use insulin
properly and due to this glucose does not transfer to the cells and remain in the blood. Even,
health problems also arise due to the presence of too much glucose in the blood. However,
diabetes have no solution it cannot be cured but can be controlled with the help of medicines and
prevention steps. There are different types of diabetes names as type 1, type 2 and gestational
diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
Insulin is not formed in type 1 diabetes because in this cells of pancreas are destroyed by
immune system of the body that helps in making the insulin. Type 1 diabetes is mostly seen in
young adults and children but it is not applied as it can arise at any age. Insulin should be
regularly taken by those patient who are suffering from type 1 diabetes (WebMD 2017).
Type 2 diabetes
In type 2 diabetes insulin is not used properly by the body. Type 2 diabetes can arise at any age
of life and it can also arise in the stage of childhood. Although, this type of diabetes mostly arise
in older and middle age people (Oberg, E 2017).
Gestational diabetes
Mostly Gestational diabetes arise in women who are pregnant. Many times when baby is born
Gestational diabetes goes away from the body. It is also been faced that people suffering from
gestational diabetes have chances to develop type 2 diabetes in later stages of life.
Health policies of Diabetes
Initiatives for Translated prevention
Translational models shows the benefits of lifestyle change in preventing the development from
IFG or IGT to type 2 diabetes. According to research conducted in 2002 most of the population
of US remains untreated (Bergman, et al 2012). Reasons for this are not known but different
policies should be developed especially the rules for unsuccessful clinical exercises.

HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES 10
Global health policies and Diabetes prevention
Operative global community health strategies are vital for talking about diabetes and other
NCDs, specifically as they explain for the majority of deaths globally and establish a ‘slow-
motion disaster”.
Government of Australia has formed a strategy known as National Diabetes Strategy for
improving and arranging the diabetes issue in the levels of the government (The department of
health 2016). It involve objectives and possible area to get an idea for applying and to attain the
goals.
Principles of Health promotion
 Heath promotion combines varied, but balancing approaches comprising education,
communication, regulation, financial measures, structural change, community change,
community expansion and impulsive local actions against health threat like Diabetes as
this disease is very dangerous and should be treated properly (Eldredge, et al 2016).
 Health promotion is not a health service it is a societal project, although health
specialist’s duty is to promote and encouraging health.
Principles of Primary health care
Technology
Technology should be implemented which is technically sound, adjustable and suitable for those
who will apply it or use it (Drummond, et al 2015). Insulin pumps and insulin infusion systems
are the example of technologies used in the treatment and should be maintained properly. For the
Treatment of Diabetes many machines are used so these machines should be effective and
provide good results towards improving the health of the patient.
Principles of Advocacy
 People suffering from diabetes should be treated with respect and dignity.
 Life of the people suffering from diabetes should be enhanced.
 Advocate for rightful access to high value diabetes care and maintenance.
Principle of Equity
Principle of Equity says that all the people should be treated equally and should be accessed the
right to use the facilities available. Different programs were introduced for prevention of
Diabetes like short-term healthy lifestyle, structured management strategies were used to
improve the health of these community people (Smith, J.D. 2016).

HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES 11
Principle of Self-determination
It involve the transfer of power of decision making to aboriginal people from government. It also
involve resources and programs that will help in enhancing their own capabilities of decision
making (McAuliffe, D. 2014). Self-determination is important in improving the services.
Principle of Right
Aboriginal and Terror Strait Island people have right to control their intellectual property. They
have the right to interpret and regulate their culture as they are the primary guardians.
Principle of Access
Principle of access has provided the right to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people to be
included while making the policies as they have right to access the policies and facilities
implemented for diabetes and other diseases.

HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES 12
References
Bergman, M., Buysschaert, M., Schwarz, P. E & Albright, A 2012, Diabetes prevention: global
health policy and perspectives from the ground, viewed 20 October 2017,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4556601/
Drummond, M.F., Sculpher, M.J., Claxton, K., Stoddart, G.L. and Torrance, G.W. 2015,
Methods for the economic evaluation of health care programmes, Oxford university press.
Eldredge, L.K.B., Markham, C.M., Ruiter, R.A., Kok, G. and Parcel, G.S. 2016, Planning health
promotion programs: an intervention mapping approach, John Wiley & Sons.
Mayo Clinic 2017, Gestational Diabetes, viewed 20 October 2017,
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-
20355339
McAuliffe, D. 2014, Interprofessional ethics: Collaboration in the social, health and human
services, Cambridge University Press.
National institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney disease 2017, What is Diabetes? Viewed
20 October 2017, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-
diabetes
Oberg, E 2017, Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms, Signs, Diet, and Treatment, viewed 20 October
2017, https://www.medicinenet.com/type_2_diabetes/article.htm
Smith, J.D. 2016, Australia's rural, remote and Indigenous health, Elsevier Health Sciences.
The department of health 2016, Australian National Diabetes Strategy 2016-2020, viewed 20
October 2017, http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/nds-2016-2020
WebMD 2017, Type 1 Diabetes, viewed 20 October 2017,
https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-1-diabetes#1

HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES 13