Addressing Disadvantages: Australian Indigenous Health and Community

This essay analyzes the health and community service disadvantages faced by Australian Indigenous people, highlighting key issues such as chronic illnesses, disabilities, and mental health challenges. It explores the historical background, including the impact of nuclear testing and forced child separations, and the ongoing inequalities in life expectancy, education, and employment. The essay discusses contemporary concerns like high suicide rates, police brutality, and discrimination. It proposes solutions involving bipartisan strategies, community partnerships, and the involvement of government and non-government organizations. Key recommendations include culturally safe healthcare, awareness of historical injustices, and negotiation procedures to address discrimination and promote reconciliation. The conclusion emphasizes the need for multiple partners and a long-term approach to solve the complex issues affecting the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

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Why indigenous people in Australia still have disadvantages in heath community services

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1. Introduction
In 2012-2013, the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey pointed
out some health issues faced by Australia’s indigenous community (ABS, 2013). The data collected
by the Australian Health Survey (AHS) revealed unusual health issues among the Aborigines who
are Australia’s indigenous communities. The research compared Aborigines in remote and those in
non-remote areas. With a population of 9,300, the survey made conclusive remarks about their
blood, urine, nutritional and chronic health tests. Its key findings identified a health trend of
chronic illnesses in the group and well as unhealthy behavioral patterns. Its outcome also
highlighted poor health caused by poor nutrition, and lifestyles diseases like diabetes and
addictions. The group detailed findings for different age groups including adults, teenagers and
children. It made a record of health related conditions, disabilities, alcohol and drug abuse, social
and emotional wellbeing, cultural identification, women’s health and family stressors among
others. Linked to demographic measures of age, diet, blood pressure, substance use, health status,
food security among others, the findings confirmed researcher’s fears of general health effects,
long-term conditions, and health risk factors on Aborigines (Lorina, 2016). The results showed that
67.4% had long tern health effects, 35.7% had disabilities and 30.1% of adults had psychological
depression. 18.0% engaged in alcohol and risky behavior while family stressors affected 73.4%.
2. Historical Background
Research highlights the importance of nature and nurture in the complete development of
the Aboriginal community in Australia (Taylor & Kukutai, 2016). In 1950-1960, the Maralinga
Nuclear Testing by the British adversely affected the indigenous people in Australia (SBS, 2014).
Dreaming trucks sent to Maralinga a dwelling place for the Aborigines had radioactive material
Plutonium used for nuclear tests. This has dangerous reactors that blinded animals living in the

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environment. Its components, the actinide is harmful to people living in overpopulated areas, it
causes body defects, health complications, cancers, and it lowers the immune system. The
deliberate exposure of the Aborigine to an environment with nuclear matter was like using them as
guinea pigs in a nuclear test. Exposing them to radiation led to contamination of their natural
environment. The discovery of the situation led to their evacuations and attempts to clean them up
by scrubbing their fingernails while not explaining the actions. Although the people received
compensation in $13.5 million dollars, to date there are claims that this race is more prone to health
complications. The health alienations increased their mortality rate because of poor nutrition,
psychological problems, addictions and abnormal blood pressure. This was a vulnerable
community leaving in a hardship area with limited access to health care. Some of the hindrances
include long distance from amenities (Australia, 2015).
Historical injustices further indicate violations and destruction of a generation during
colonial periods (Ahmed, 2001). By 1910-1970, the aborigine children faced separation with their
families. Close to 100,000 in their early childhood were culturally alienated. The giving of children
to white families by police kept a generation away from their families. With no records to help
them trace back their roots, they lost the privilege of learning their culture, language and values.
Such alienation has physical, emotional and social effects. As a result, most of them grew up
without a sense of belonging. This destroyed their self-esteem giving them a sense of loneliness,
unworthiness and insecure. It was common to find most of them depressed and some committed
suicide. Those who could not bear the pressure turned to crime, and addictions. Mass murders,
economic oppression and slavery describe

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3. Contemporary Concerns
An Aljazeera report about the injutices faced by Aboriginal Australians indicate a gap
between the inidgineous and non indigeneous Australians (2014). Some of the inequalities include
reduced life expectancies, alienation from social rights such as education, sources of income,
professional development and opportunities in life. Lack of employment contributes to the already
existing social issues of poverty, and lack of quality health care. These challenges reduce life
expectancy and contribute to desperation. Poor diet due to lack of food also leads to poor maternal
health, childhood mortality and common diseases. When young children and infants fail to get the
necessary benefits of health they face health challenges such as chronic illness and are prone to
infections. The unsafe environment is a health risk because of poisons, and respiratory illnesses.
There are challenges of culturally unsafe healthcare represented by the white system. The lack of
government support for this minority group has come under criticism. The community covers a
small percentage of the population at just 2% of the country’s population. However, these
23million alienated Australians continue to face inequalities in the work place (Aljazeera, 2014).
There are more reports about high suicide rates, homelessness and poor health.
Reports about the incarceration of the indigenous continues to cause deaths. Humanitarian
activists also point out that there are indications of police brutality and welfare violations. The
inhumane treatment of the aborigines brings back memories of historical maltreatment of the
group. Evidently, the long-term challenges of historical injustices have trickled down to the
population. Discrimination keeps widening the social gap and it is evident in the young generation
in schools system. This raises questions about the coexistence of the two races in future. Some
suggest that the stakeholders must come to an acceptance of the violations in the past and in the
present (Georgatos, 2014). The news report expresses unrest over the fact that Australia is among

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the developed countries yet its own indigenous people suffer from problems faced by third world
populations. However, one can argue that racial issues continue to remain unresolved in other parts
of the world too (Clifford, 2013)
4. Solutions
Researchers in humanitarian organizations point out that this case study is complex and
involves long-term violations across many years and by different governments (Aljazeera, 2014).
Suggestions made include the involvement of bipartisan strategies that include both the
government and the indigenous people. From history, community groups have faced various
violations. In an effort to find solutions and healing for the minority groups, it is important to dig
deeper into history beyond colonialism. Ecological factors are important in dealing with population
controls, and inequalities (Clifford, 2013, p. 43). Since this is a multifaceted problem, a multilevel
approach involving government and non-government partners is necessary. There is a need to give
health solutions, policy, material and psychological support.
1. Partnerships
The participation of the community in the solution process is important (Cohen, 2013). The
Aborigine traditional system of leadership and its cultural practices and important. In this case,
boundary gives this indigenous group meaning. It helps to construct the past, present and their
locality. The Aborigines have a right to protect their community and culture according to the UN
and Australian laws (AG, 2017). Their participation could be in various forms. Partners could offer
training of health workers from the community to enable them to promote health services to
Aborigines. The experiences have discouraged the indigenous community from seeking medical
care. Racism also has a role in the inequalities (Thompson & Durey, 2012). Considering the high

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poverty levels among the Aborigines, one way to encourage participation is to give support.
Offering transportation to health facilities in rural settings encourages the community to access
health care services.
The government has a responsibility to ensure common good (Wallis, 2013). A functional
government needs to show commitment to the welfare. Accessible health care centers within the
community’s reach is necessary. Community elders, individuals, and groups should be part of the
service provision. The involvement of political, health and economic institution gives the
indigenous community a reason to become part of the society. When the minority have no access to
basic services including education, it limits their capacity to become part of the governing team. In
the Australian case. Cross-cultural leadership would be strategic and transformation (Kark &
Shamir, 2013). An inclusive form of leadership gives the community confidence and a sense of
security. This is appropriate in a system rocked by mistrust and mistreatment of the minority. The
government has tried to offer assimilation but the dilapidating nature of the group keeps showing
attempts to destroy the Aborigine’s culture and history (Georgatos, 2014).
Non-government partners include global donors and agencies in health care, culture, and
civic interest groups. These should encourage a safe working environment for all partners. Part of
their wok is to provide monetary resources for facilitating the transformation and psychological
support services like counselling. However, the agencies need to provide accountability for the
sustainability of the programs. There are community-based organizations, civil society groups,
business community and volunteer groups among others. Among these, there should be groups for
vulnerable groups like women and children. Their role is to ensure that the decision making
process follows legitimacy and effective implementation.
5. Consultation and negotiation procedures

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The first step in the negotiation is to identifying culturally safe and appropriate strategies.
Accountability on the part of the NGO and government service providers includes acceptance of
any injustices committed and making the necessary steps towards reconciliation. The compensation
of the Aborigines by the colonialists is one-step (Australia, 2015). The government’s policy of
assimilation also paved the way for reconciliation (AIATSIS, 1961). However, its success is yet to
show a trickledown effect on the marginalized community. The attempt to enjoin them into the
white community should not have taken children forcefully from their families (findandconect,
2017).
Creating awareness about the historical issues such as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander and colonial hurts brings all stakeholders to the reality on the underlying issues. Making
history and culture part of the negotiation gives guidance on History has a way of giving valuable
lessons through personal reflection of injustices. (Wheeler, et al., 2013). The control of emotions
during negotiation is critical because all partners need to apply rationality and objectivity. The use
of research findings is proof that there is a health problem, which needs medical and psychological
solutions. This is part of the healing process because it gives the government a chance for making
things right. The fact that there is discrimination in schools calls for the involvement of the whole
society in order to prevent future recurrence of the same problems (Wang & Eccle, 2012). Among
the issues to address, include discrimination and bias in different parts of life. Australia’s
Aborigine law acknowledges the existence of Aborigines and natives thereby giving recognition
for traditional and English laws. However, many Australians oppose the customary laws (Wood,
2016).
Health care is a basic human necessity. Taking it for granted is unethical. Workers charged
with health consultation need an effective and respectful communication. The consultation and
negotiation procedures with the afflicted community may take time, resources and progressive

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development. Aborigines should also become part of the Australian Health care in order to get rid
of the lack of trust for white government. It is important to address communication barriers such as
lack of education. The lack of knowledge is one of the reasons for behavioral risk factors in the
health research (Lorina, 2016). Nurses should serve the community without discriminating or
showing any signs of disregard (Hayes, et al., 2012).
6. Conclusion
In conclusion, the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander case is a complex one
that requires multiple partners to solve it. A problem stems from historical issues takes longer to
resolve because it affects generations. People can reflect on cultural coexistence in social places,
workplace and professional relationships. Working in partnership with the Torres Strait Islander
people and communities service providers includes strong cultural issues, which allows them to
own the process. The quest for self-determination comes from the desire for Australian minorities
to have their own states. An independent state determines its own destiny without external
influences. In such a case, the Aborigines would not have to give up their children in an attempt to
become part of assimilation. Having respect for a nation encourages nationhood defined by cultural
identity and a history. This would encourage the Aborigines to participate in services for a desired
outcome. However, the limitation of lack of proper education and structural systems to facilitate a
form of government is futile. Australia’s Aborigine law accepts the legal existence of the
indigenous. However, the majority group still oppose it because many do not understand its
context.

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