Addressing Healthcare Disparities for Indigenous Queenslanders: A Community-Based Solution

simHealth
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Summary Statement
Australia’s healthcare industry is currently plagued by devastating levels of inequalities. The
quality of care experienced by Aboriginal Queenslanders is very low compared to their non-Aboriginal
counterparts (Landsbergis, Grywacz, & LaMontagne, 2014). The implications of this trend have been
evidenced in the overall well-being of these groups: aboriginals record higher rates of chronic illnesses
such as diabetes than non-aboriginals. Recent studies affirmed the preceding stipulation by highlighting
that aboriginals were twice likely to suffer from diabetes (Durey & Thompson, 2012). Having a clear
grasp of the challenges facing the indigenous population in the region enhances SimHealth’s ability to
develop and implement effectual public health improvement strategies and procedures.
For now, it suffices to state that aboriginals are highly concentrated in Australia’s Queensland
City. On average, the life expectancy rate of this population is ten years lower than that of other
Queenslanders. This disparity is believed to result from a broad range of systemic and demographic
challenges. Some of the systemic factors include including racism, high incarceration levels, and
unemployment among other transgenerational impacts of colonization (McNamara, et al., 2018). The
major demographic dynamic behind the problem facing the Australian healthcare sector is ageing. At the
moment, Over 14 percent of the populace comprises individuals over the age of 65 (Worry, n.d).
McNamara and cohorts (2018) find this factor quite alarming since human beings typically experience
deteriorating health as they age. In their view, this age-group is among the high-risk population with
respect to diabetes and the relative complications.
As a company with a long-standing reputation, SimHealth is best placed to resolve the healthcare
challenge faced by the indigenous people of Queensland. Such an intrepid assertion is grounded on the
fact that the company’s profile reflects established bonds with the Australian populace: emphasis on its
role during drastic times such as World War, nationwide disease outbreaks (e.g. bubonic plague), and
world depressions among others (Worry, n.d). This is not to imply that the task ahead does not require a
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joint industrial effort. On the contrary, SimHealth will engage different industry stakeholders in a
collaborative utilization of the ‘Push for Life Program’ funds if it will be awarded the grant.
If given the opportunity, SimHealth will initiate a nationwide campaign aimed at increasing the
numbers of aboriginal healthcare workers as well as the public’s – mainly the indigenous members –
grasp of the importance of participating in healthcare. In order to meet both goals, the program will utilize
two options: an online portal for connecting aboriginal consultants with their community members and a
training and employment process to increase the number of indigenous practitioners. This campaign will
be vital in the resolution of the current problem.
Introduction
Racial segregation in the Australian healthcare sector has had a detrimental impact on the
Aboriginals and Torres Islanders populace. Recent studies have exposed the factors that prevent this
population from accessing high quality care (Thurber, et al., 2018). Various issues have been listed
including racism, social dispossession, unemployment, and illiteracy among others. According to Thurber
and colleagues (2018), these dynamics have resulted in systemic marginalization. Consequently, the
country has witnessed an increase in diabetes and mortality rates among the indigenous people. At the
moment, this population is twice more likely than its non-aboriginal counterpart to develop diabetes
(Rahiri, et al., 2018). Moreover, aboriginals have a life-expectancy rate that is 10 years lower than the rest
of the Australian population. These trends are also reflected in a broad range of complications including
myopia, asthma, arthritis, hyperopia, auditory impairments, respiratory infections, and high sugar levels.
Note that recent investigations have uncovered intense correlation between the mentioned conditions and
the indigenous population of Queensland and Australia at large. Rahiri and associates add that the trend is
quite amendable and avoidable (2018). For this reason, they recommend investment in resource-building
to resolve the current industrial impediments. Also, the conditions are highly linked to diabetes.
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As an organization that understands its population, SimHealth is highly likely to transform the
current healthcare trends towards a positive end. At this point, the reader can acknowledge that something
ought to be done to resolve the problem faced by indigenous Queenslanders. SimHealth’s profile best
positions it as a socially responsible corporate actor.
2 Assessment of the Situation
2.1 Problem Statement
Aboriginal Queenslanders have reported a plethora of challenges with respect to the accessibility
of mainstream healthcare services. Some of these issues include lack of transport, unwelcoming hospital
setting, inflexible treatment options, a sense of alienation, and mistrust of the care providers. As far as the
issue of transport is concerned, approximately 86 percent of Queensland aboriginals live in remote areas
(Azzopardi, et al., 2018). This issue curtails their ability to access care providers in emergency scenarios
including diabetes-induced heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, the strong sense of alienation
results from the passive racial segregation. It is not uncommon for an indigenous Queenslander to enter
an unwelcoming hospital setting. Such a scenario sparks mistrust among aboriginals; thus, preventing
them from seeking care when in need. When viewed from an analytical lens, it is clear that the poor
quality healthcare experienced by the aboriginals results from marginalization.
An observer once remarked that the major cause of healthcare disparities in Australia is the
system’s inability to respond to the economic, infrastructural, social, and cultural requirements of
aboriginal people. This sentiment was affirmed by one James Sandy (A diabetic Indigenous
Queenslander) when he claimed that the deaths of his nine siblings resulted from the disconnection
between the system and the indigenous populations (Alston, et al., 2017). According to him (Sandy)
community fails to equally distribute the necessary resources required by diabetes management. As a
result, fewer and fewer indigenous individuals access healthcare. Alston and colleagues conclude that
such a scenario is one among the widely publicized grievances (2017).
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