Indigenous Health Perspectives: Impact of Racism on Healthcare for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia

This article discusses the impact of racism on healthcare for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia. It highlights the discrimination and stereotypes faced by Indigenous people in the healthcare system, leading to unequal access to medical benefits and chronic illnesses. The article also suggests the need for more Indigenous workers in healthcare facilities for proper care and medication.

Running head: INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
Introduction
Conventional frameworks of population health typically implicate a range of social,
environmental and economic aspects to determine the factors of health. However due to the
presence of dispossession, discrimination and most importantly racism, there exists a mental and
physical health issue amongst the Indigenous population due the following factors. Racism
however can be the cause of serious mental health issues as per the citation of international
literatures. It is addresses and also acknowledged as a crucial factor in the form of health
disparities.
It can take much kind of forms and can be expressed at interpersonal systematic levels. It
is stated that racism can impact mental health and the indirect effects includes unequal access to
human needs like medical, social and economic resources which are required for a healthy
lifestyle. Poor health in a child is sometimes linked to various racial experiences that he or she
faced in school. It can also be stated that racism sometimes is direct impact from parenting
practices. There has a been a lot of studies regarding racism over the years and most of them
shows that the racism mentality in a person normally develops from an early childhood, it is not
only the factor of parenting that causes the effect but also the environment where the child grows
up that also matters. The social circle where the child normally spends time, he or she might get
wrongly influenced if they possess discrimination towards someone from a different race.
Studies also show that young people are the most vulnerable to the effects of racism. These
effects can lead to long term negative outcome to general health like depression, behavioral
problems, and addiction towards smoking, drugs or alcohol. This shows that racism can wrongly
influence the various stages of life. Most of the studies that impact racial discrimination is
experience in United States and is among the Black, Latino and the Asian culture. In Australia

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
racism discrimination is shown towards the original inhabitants of the country that is the
Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islanders. This study will discuss the four articles that states the
different aspects of racism and the impacts it causes.
Article 1
http://www.abc.net.au/health/features/stories/2015/07/07/4268380.htm
Key Issues
The racial discrimination in the society is one of the most important social issues present
in the society today. The Australian aboriginal society is affected by a number of different
factors such as the overcrowding and the increased lack of homelessness and sanitation issues.
One of the most important factor in this context is the incarceration from the society due to
which they fail to avail the benefits that are available to the civilians (Dudgeon et. al., 2010). The
different issues that have been highlighted in the society in this context is the fact that they may
be affected by the different local infections among the children in the aboriginals. Ottis media or
a kind of the middle ear infection is a very common disease among the different children of the
aboriginals. It is a common infection among the children having cold and is easily treated among
the common children who have access to healthcare, but is a persistent issue among the
healthcare leading to the permanent hearing loss among the aboriginal children in most cases
(DiGiacomo et al., 2013). The healthcare unavailability and the overcrowding has led to the
hurting of the issue. The racism is cited is as another cause which has led to the rise in the
healthcare neglect in the aboriginal society (Zubrick et al., 2010). The racism is rampant in the
society and it is seen that the locals are said to be on the receiving end of the racism.

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
Links to models and approaches
The rise in the healthcare issues among the natives is the result of the large amount of the
homelessness and the racist attitudes that the people face in the society. The understanding of
these aspects of the society in the development of the different issues among the natives after the
colonization of the area has led to the rise in the racism which lead to the lack of the facilities
from reaching out to the common natives in the society (Cunningham& Paradies, 2013). The
different rituals and the delineation from the different parts of the society has led to the increase
in the issues among the aboriginals in the society. The rise of the racism is the result of the
various issues faced by the individuals in the society and overall negligence from the authority’s
side.
Current Debate Link
Concurrently it is seen that very few of the social health determinants are being followed
in the society due to the fact the racism is widely prevalent in the society so that they may be
affected by the overall implementation of the different socio cultural benefit programs. The
different strategies employed by the people and the society is affected by the individual outlook
of the aboriginals who choose to avoid the facilities that are provided by the government for their
welfare (Panaretto et al., 2014). The radical discrimination and ideological difference between
the aboriginals and the authorities have led to the increase in the divide in the thoughts of the
people and the society which has led to the increased health issues especially among the children
in the society.
Reflection
From the above discussion it is seen that the different partof the society of the aboriginals
is affected by the negligence by the different parts of the society. The aboriginals and the society

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
are on the different terms among themselves and the society due to their ideological divide. I
think a more collaborative approach and a better outreach to the people in the society is needed
for the better implementation of the governmental policies in the society often aboriginals. It is to
be understood that they have to live by their lifestyle and follow their traditions.
Article 2
http://www.sbs.com.au/topics/life/health/article/2017/02/01/comment-when-race-gets-way-good-
health
Key Issues
The racism issues is one of the main causes of the lack of health care among the Torres
island native residents. The lack of belief among the doctors and the different paramedics due the
preconceived notions and the stereotypes leads to a large amount of racist behaviors among
them. It is very evident in the fact that though the local aboriginals have a lwer rate of cancer
occurrence they are more prone to dying from the disease in contrast to the common people in
the society one of the major causes in this cases is that the locals do not treatment they are
entitled to due to the increasing cases of the racism in the society (Parker & Milroy, 2014). It is
common complaint by the local aboriginals that the medical facilities do not provide them pain
relief as they think that the locals feign pain to get the painkillers to uses them as intoxicants.
The stereotype rampant among the local society that the local aboriginals have a higher pain
threshold in comparison to the local population so they should not be given the pain killers. In
most cases the results are excruciating pains for the patients and often death (Aspin et al., 2012).
There have been a number of cases are dying in the hands of the people who are supposed to care

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
for them. The negative and the unwelcome behavior of the different healthcare personnel leads to
a number of issues in the overall acceptance of the medication by the local people in the society
(Paradies, 2016). It is not only common in the remote areas but the native people in the cities are
also discriminated against in the society.
Links to models and approaches
The different issues that are seen in the case are mainly due to the stereotypes about the
local native islanders in the society. One of the major issues that have to be highlighted by the
different part of the article is the fact that the different parts of the society have to focus on the
development of the aboriginals along with their overall behavioral patterns in the society to
understand them better. The lack of the facilities due to common stereotypes that the aboriginal
people are addicted to the different kinds of drugs leads to the issue of the people stereotyping
against them (Thomas, Bainbridge& Tsey, K. 2014). The indigenous problems faced by the
different aboriginals in the society is the result of the misconceptions of their lifestyle where
people face difficulties in comprehending them.
Critical discussion
It is commonly seen in the different societies that the discrimination is tha major cause of
the rising discrimination and the racism is the stereotypes in the society. The ideological
stereotypes that are deeply inculcated in the minds of the people which makes them think that the
locals are inherently drug dependent and are conning them for getting easy access to the drugs
(Herring et al., 2013). This is so deeply inculcated in the people that they choose to overlook the
obvious signs of the needs of the medicine in the society. The lack of understanding of the local
culture and the limited interaction can be said to be its cause.

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
Reflective statement
Therefore it is seen that the different aspects related to the overall development of the
Torres Islander’s healthcare and their development is hindered by the stereotypes. I think the
stereotypes are accultured by the society itself and they affect the health of the patients who are
at the receiving end of the discrimination among the people. One of the major factors that are
affected are the health and development of the local islanders who are misunderstood by the
mainlanders dur to their different lifestyle.
Conclusion
Therefore it can be seen that the rise in the lack of Healthcare provide the tourist islanders
is a result of a number of social factors and inhibitions propellant in the society. The local people
have their own culture which is quite different from the usual Australian society which makes
the massively misunderstood. The Healthcare providers in the Australian society are affected by
a number of different factors such as the stereotypes that is a cultured into them. The stereotypes
due to the formation of an ideology which makes them think that the tasting islanders use drugs
and are off very sturdy build having high threshold of pain. This makes them over look then the
need of providing the necessary medical attention as they think that the people are failing
sickness to get access to the drugs that are being provided. This is a wedding strongest
conception but it negatively affect the health of the Torres Strait Islander their psychological
development. It is to be understood that a common people who are coming for health care
assistance need the access to the medicines and the health providers need to be acculture to the
normal customs of the area so that they don't misunderstand the customs of the Torres Strait
Islanders. Overall it can be said that the Torres Strait islander can have access to proper medical
attention only if the government chooses to have a overseeing body of the behavior of the

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
different Healthcare personal. The common believe mom them affect the health phone number of
people and has led to death in a number of cases. It should be taken into consideration that being
the residents of Australia the Torres Strait islander have the equal rights as the common citizen
of the place.
Media article three
http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/racism-in-the-health-system-plagues-efforts-to-
close-the-gap-for-indigenous-australians-report-shows-20170315-guyhz4.html
Key issues
This article focuses on the medical sectors that show discrimination towards the
indigenous people of Australia. The issue started from the time of the Aboriginals and the Torres
Strait Islanders who were the true indigenous natives of Australia. They were previously locals
to what is currently, the present mainland of Australia. However after the approach of the
European Colonial Expansion and Imperialist Policies, particularly those of the British Empire,
the Aboriginals were presented as outcasts to the outside worlds. A progression of outrages and
hardships were released upon the Aboriginal individuals by the colonials that caused mass
execution of the natives in a high number and ever since then they are denied of the human rights
and were treated horribly. A long time of torture and segregation brought changed towards the
minds of the Aboriginal society and they segregated themselves from the rest of the world.Now,
the government has tried various methods to make the lives of the Aboriginal individuals better
so that they would be treated with equal respect. Various methods were applied including “Close
the Gap” which was a technique to enhance the living condition of the natives however it was

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
not a success due to the fact that discrimination still exist in some people and some Indigenous
people still do not trust the government of Australia because of their experience of sufferings.
Links to models and approaches
In this following assessment, Banok Rind who is one of the Indigenous people of
Australia was told by her teacher that she would grow up to be a unemployed drunk because
according to her teacher, that is what Aboriginal people are. This abusive comment and many
more acts of racism influenced her to become a nurse and make a successful career. A per studies
show Indigenous people die on an average of 10-17 years earlier than the non-Indigenous people
of Australia and they have high rates of chronic illness. This is mainly due to the unequal access
of medical benefits of the Indigenous people and without treatment, these people suffer a lot.
During her nursing studies, Ms Rind also noticed that some of the staff deliberately ignored the
easily curable or preventable health conditions of the Indigenous people. These racial
discriminations are still active in many parts of the country. Ms Rind also suggested that health
facilities should have more Indigenous workers so that the people would be treated with proper
care and medication.
Critical discussion
According to Ms Rind, Indigenous people are the same as all others and they should be
treated equally and due effectively put this action to use the health facilities and hospital should
be equally justified to patients. If these communities undergo special education and training like
diversity training for their staff on how to deal with the Indigenous patients properly, then the
discrimination would be much less.

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
Reflective statement
Closing the Gap program is still active in the health aspects and they keep track of the
organizational bodies like health or safety facilities towards the Indigenous people of the
country. Due to the effects of many people, now there lies a zero tolerance if a medical staff
makes any kind of racial approach to a patient or any other staffs, and this is applicable to all the
sectors. However, to take an extra measure, it is suggested that the government keep track and
prevent any kind of racial discrimination in health sectors.
Conclusion
One of the successes that the Government did achieve is that the Indigenous and the non-
Indigenous people have made an agreed national priority. Therefore it can be said that the
situation towards health facilities have improved a lot however it can be made even better.
Media article four
http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2017/02/20/comment-racism-australia-stats-are-clear
Key Issues
The article focuses on the racial conflicts the Indigenous people of Australia faces on a
day to day basis. The situation is normally not addressed towards a particular individual but
towards an entire community and its families. Due to the effects of colonization the Indigenous
people of Australia were segregated from the Australian community and the rest of the world.
The government of Australia has taken measure to enhance the situation by improvement

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
measures like “Close the Gap” and the overall condition have stabilized than before. The
evidence that portrays this subject is from the personal opinions of the non- Indigenous people
and this use is still continuing.
Links to models and approaches
As per research shows, In 1972, a study of 1066 non-Indigenous individuals from NSW
and VIC found that 20% idea Aboriginal Australians should remain on stores and missions; 51%
dislike a relative to wed an Aboriginal Australian; and 26% suspected that if Aboriginal
individuals moved into their locale, its cleanliness would diminish. In 1984, for 289 SA non-
Indigenous high schoolers, more than half supported each negative generalization of Aboriginal
Australians that was recorded. 84.2% idea Aboriginal individuals drink excessively. 82.2% said
Aboriginal individuals are frequently in a bad position with the police. 77.3% idea Aboriginal
individuals were excessively forceful. 74.1% idea they squandered cash. In 1994, 257 non-
Indigenous Australians in Perth reacted to the degree that 20% would feel awkward if an
Aboriginal individual sat alongside them. 45.7% idea Aboriginal individuals were messy.52.4%
dislike a relative to wed an Aboriginal individual. 28.2% dislike an Aboriginal individual as their
supervisor. In the vicinity of 2000 and 2010, as a feature of the Challenging Racism Project, a
huge number of respondents announced that they would be concerned if a relative wedded an
Aboriginal individual.
Critical discussion
In the 2001 NSW/QLD review, 28.2% of individuals asked said they would. In the 2006
Victorian investigation, about 25% concurred. In the 2007 SA overview, 31.6% conceded they
would be concerned.

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
Racism is not an innocuous measurement. For some Indigenous individuals prejudice is an
everyday lived involvement. A 2015 Darwin-based investigation reviewed 474 Aboriginal
Australians, and over 70% said in the past a half year they were affronted or treated
unreasonably on the grounds that they were Aboriginal. 46% of Aboriginal Australians
overviewed by the 2016 Australian Reconciliation Barometer contemplate experienced
supremacist verbal or physical manhandle over the most recent a half year.
Reflective statement
The effect of Racism on Indigenous kids and youth must not be overlooked. Tossing
some learned or ideological shroud over racism, in spite of the proof for it, strengthens the
shameful acts that have focused on Indigenous people groups since attack started. Imagining
bigotry doesn't exist; moving the fault for prejudice to its casualties; overlooking the calamitous
harm that prejudice does to us and our groups – this can just twisted us progressively and feed
the blazes of racial pressure.
Conclusion
All Australians must face up to the truth of racism, and they should ceaselessly rally
against the individuals who decline to do as such. For turning a visually impaired eye to racism is
one approach to exemplify prejudice itself. Therefore from the above discussion it can be stated
that the effects are still underdevelopment but the conditions have improved and it can still
improve even more.

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
References
Aspin, C., Brown, N., Jowsey, T., Yen, L., & Leeder, S. (2012). Strategic approaches to
enhanced health service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with
chronic illness: a qualitative study. BMC health services research, 12(1), 143.
Cunningham, J., & Paradies, Y. C. (2013). Patterns and correlates of self-reported racial
discrimination among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, 2008–09:
analysis of national survey data. International journal for equity in health, 12(1), 47.
DiGiacomo, M., Davidson, P. M., Abbott, P., Delaney, P., Dharmendra, T., McGrath, S. J., ...&
Vincent, F. (2013). Childhood disability in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples:
a literature review. International journal for equity in health, 12(1), 7.
Dudgeon, P., Wright, M., Paradies, Y., Garvey, D., & Walker, I. (2010). The social, cultural and
historical context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Working together:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and
practice, 25-42.
Herring, S., Spangaro, J., Lauw, M., & McNamara, L. (2013). The intersection of trauma,
racism, and cultural competence in effective work with aboriginal people: Waiting for
trust. Australian Social Work, 66(1), 104-117.
Panaretto, K. S., Wenitong, M., Button, S., & Ring, I. T. (2014). Aboriginal community
controlled health services: leading the way in primary care. The Medical Journal of
Australia, 200(11), 649-652.

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
Paradies, Y., 2016. Beyond black and white: Essentialism, hybridity and indigeneity.
In Handbook of Indigenous Peoples' Rights (pp. 44-54). Routledge.
Parker, R., & Milroy, H. (2014). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health: an
overview. Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and
wellbeing principles and practice, 2, 25-38.
Thomas, D. P., Bainbridge, R., & Tsey, K. (2014). Changing discourses in Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander health research, 1914–2014. Med J Aust, 201(1), S1-4.
Zubrick, S. R., Dudgeon, P., Gee, G., Glaskin, B., Kelly, K., Paradies, Y., ...& Walker, R.
(2010). Social determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional
wellbeing. Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and
wellbeing principles and practice, 75-90.