Critical Reflection on Indigenous Culture and Health

Running head: CRITICAL REFLECTION ON INDIGENOUS CULTURE AND HEALTH
Critical Reflection on Indigenous Culture and Health
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1CRITICAL REFLECTION ON INDIGENOUS CULTURE AND HEALTH
The culture of Australia constitute a multi-ethnic composition. Though chiefly
influenced by the British Colonization in 1788, the cultural community of the subcontinent
comprise of diverse civilization such as Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. They are
considered to be the native inhabitants of Australia.
Colonisation had marginalised the Aboriginals which adverse consequence on their
lifestyles, health and culture in general. They were victims of racial discrimination and
slavery which led them to lose self-determination in securing their original position in the
society (Gwynne et al., 2016). Children belonging to the families of these indigenous culture
remained impoverished that affected their emotional, physical and social well-being. The
community could not avail the modern health facilities to treat serious illnesses or disability
issues which attributed to their shorter life expectancy in comparison to the non-Aboriginal
people. Colonization caused them to shift from their original ecological habitat which
impacted their traditional lifestyle practices. The negative influence of high tobacco and
alcohol abuse and low physical activity elevated their Body Mass Index and Blood
Cholesterol level (Thomas, Bainbridge & Tsey, 2014). As their physiological and consequent
psychological status declined, it impeded their socio-economic growth too.
In absence of concrete health-related information and statistics about their recent
conditions of living, it is difficult for a medical practitioner to devise ways of healing them.
However, considering the facts and socio-demographic evidence collected by researchers on
their routine life, it can be stated that the Aboriginal community of Australia need proper
education, training and most importantly, co-operation from the civil and enlightened non-
aboriginal population to control, prevent and eliminate their life risks. The amount of care
and support provided to these people in terms of health and employment can determine their
rate of progress (Parker & Milroy, 2014). Organising medical camps to facilitate proper
treatment of the aboriginal communities was a worthwhile step taken by the health workers.