Assessing the Impact of Colonization on Aboriginal Health - Reflection

This assignment reflects on the impact of colonization on the health of Aboriginal people in Australia. It highlights the historical injustices, including land dispossession and the introduction of foreign diseases, which have led to significant health disparities. The reflection emphasizes the ongoing consequences, such as limited access to healthcare, high rates of communicable diseases, and increased mortality rates. The assignment references relevant literature, including Sherwood's work, to support the argument that colonial history continues to affect the well-being of the Aboriginal population. The reflection concludes by underscoring the importance of understanding these historical contexts to improve health outcomes and address the challenges faced by the Aboriginal community. This assignment is a valuable resource for students studying public and global health, offering a clear analysis of a critical issue.

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RUNNING HEAD: CAUSE OF POOR HEALTH AMONG THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE
Cause of poor health among the Aboriginal people
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CAUSE OF POOR HEALTH AMONG THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE
Cause of poor health among the Aboriginal people
Whereas the history of the Australian people does not indicate the health status of the people,
there has been a direct correlation between the health of individuals and the social-political and
economic circumstances surrounding them. The indigenous population in Australia has remained
neglected over the years and of much concern is the aboriginal populations who had been denied
control over their lives for a long time until recently when it was agreed that the aboriginal
people should enjoy the rights just like other Australians. Despite the loss of land and livelihood
during the British colonization, the aboriginal people have remained neglected by the
governments which is evident in the limited access to health care of the people despite their poor
health status as compared to the health status of other Australians.
During colonization, the aboriginal people suffered from foreign diseases that were brought by
their colonizers. Many lost their lives, and others continued to suffer without any medical
assistance from the state and territorial government. It was not until in 1837 that a policy of
protection was put in place after decades of suffering. The aboriginal people were considered to
be inferior to the whites, and therefore, even after the policy, they were segregated in settlements
and reserves to ensure they did not spread communicable diseases to the whites.
Even after recognition as Australian citizens in 1960, the Aboriginal people have had problems
accessing health care like other non-indigenous Australians. Sherwood has shown in his article
shown that the indigenous people have continued to be affected by their colonial history
(Sherwood, 2013). “The implication of this lack of knowing, unfortunately, has left its effect on
the way health service providers have delivered health to indigenous children, mothers, fathers,
and their communities.”

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CAUSE OF POOR HEALTH AMONG THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE
The indigenous people have continued to suffer from ill-health which has been indicated by the
high suicidal rates, high rate of infection with communicable diseases, and the high mortality rate
seen among the community (Axelsson, 2016). The health disparity between the indigenous and
non-indigenous population has been as a result of historical injustices during colonization, which
has continued to affect the people until now.

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CAUSE OF POOR HEALTH AMONG THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE
References
Sherwood, J. (2013). Colonisation–It’s bad for your health: The context of Aboriginal health.
Contemporary Nurse, 46(1), 28-40.
Axelsson, P., Kukutai, T., & Kippen, R. (2016). The field of Indigenous health and the role of
colonisation and history. Journal of Population Research, 33(1), 1-7.