ICHB1006: Reflecting on Indigenous Culture, Health, and My Role

This essay provides a critical reflection on Indigenous culture and health in Australia, focusing on the impact of colonization on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It discusses the marginalization, racial discrimination, and loss of self-determination experienced by Indigenous communities, leading to adverse effects on their lifestyles, health, and culture. The essay highlights the disparities in health outcomes, including shorter life expectancy and increased prevalence of chronic diseases, attributed to factors such as poor access to healthcare, high rates of substance abuse, and displacement from traditional lands. Furthermore, the reflection emphasizes the importance of cultural safety in healthcare practices and advocates for a client-centric approach that respects Indigenous values, beliefs, and traditions. The author, drawing from their experience as a health worker, underscores the need for collaboration with Aboriginal Community Leadership and multidisciplinary teams to address the complex health challenges faced by Indigenous populations. The essay concludes by recommending a care model that aligns with Indigenous cultural sensitivities and acknowledges their multi-generational legacies of well-being.

Running head: CRITICAL REFLECTION ON INDIGENOUS CULTURE AND HEALTH
Critical Reflection on Indigenous Culture and Health
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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.

2CRITICAL REFLECTION ON INDIGENOUS CULTURE AND HEALTH
The Government of Australia had provided provisions for weekly diagnosis to treat long-term
illness related to heart, blood pressure, cholesterol, depression and asthma. Culturally safe
pre-natal and post-natal treatment is ensured in case of new born children and their mothers.
My role as a health worker, in Australia, has inspired me to collect relevant data on
the adversities of life of the Aboriginal people and the prerequisites for their wellbeing. From
these data I have gathered insight on not only the remedial measures for the Indigenous
Cultural Communities in Australia but also on how I can improve my role as a health worker
and effectively assist these people. By allowing multidisciplinary teams to engage in the
treatment of the Aboriginal Communities, a holistic approach can be endorsed towards
resolving this issue. I wish to state that proper collaboration with the Aboriginal Community
Leadership is needed to achieve the health goals for their people (Gwynne et al., 2016). A
treatment method which is in consonance with their values, beliefs, traditions and encompass
practices relevant to their multi-generational legacies of physical and emotional well-being
should be incorporated. This would not impose an idea of healing that is against their cultural
sensitivities and also acknowledge the contribution of their leadership. Therefore, the care-
model which I would be recommending is client-centric rather than health-centric
(Eckermann et al., 2010).

3CRITICAL REFLECTION ON INDIGENOUS CULTURE AND HEALTH
Reference
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Gwynne, K., Irving, M. J., McCowen, D., Rambaldini, B., Skinner, J., Naoum, S., &
Blinkhorn, A. (2016). Developing a sustainable model of oral health care for
disadvantaged Aboriginal people living in rural and remote communities in NSW,
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