Exploring 10 Factors Contributing to Indigenous Ill Health Issues

This essay identifies and discusses ten significant factors contributing to the ill health of indigenous populations in Australia. These factors include excessive alcohol and illicit drug use, tobacco consumption, poor nutrition influenced by socio-economic and geographical disadvantages, inadequate immunization, lack of physical activity, insufficient breastfeeding practices, health disparities, poverty limiting access to quality healthcare, and geographical isolation hindering healthcare access. Each factor is explained with supporting evidence, highlighting the complex interplay of social, economic, and environmental determinants affecting the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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Running head: 10 FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE INDIGENOUS ILL HEALTH
10 Factors That Contribute to The Indigenous Ill Health
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10 FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE INDIGENOUS ILL HEALTH
The following are ten factors that make indigenous group vulnerable to ill health:
1) Alcohol Use
Typically, excessive use of alcohol makes one susceptible to a wide range of illnesses
including, stroke, cancer, and coronary heart disease. The use of alcohol among the
indigenous group in Australia places them at a higher risk of ill health.
2) Illicit Drug Use
Illicit drug use infers to the use of substances that are illegal such as heroin, cannabis, and
solvents. Recent studies have shown that the use of the illicit drug is rampant among the
indigenous group which makes them vulnerable to ill health.
3) Tobacco Use
Tobacco use among the indigenous group in Australia makes them susceptible to chronic
diseases such as lung cancer and complications during pregnancy.
4) Nutrition
Recent studies have shown that the nutritional status of the indigenous individual in
Australia is influenced by environmental, social-economic disadvantage and geographical
factors (Baba, Brolan, & Hill, 2014). Typically, poor nutrition is a typical risk factor for
malnutrition, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
5) Immunization
Inadequate immunization among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander makes them
vulnerable to communicable diseases.

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10 FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE INDIGENOUS ILL HEALTH
6) Physical activities
The fact that indigenous groups in Australia don’t engage in physical activities makes
them susceptible to chronic conditions such as coronary disease.
7) Breastfeeding
Inadequate breastfeeding is the leading factor that contributes to the ill health of
indigenous babies. Breast milk is an ideal food for babies as it is appropriate for growth
development.
8) Health disparity
Health disparity is common among the indigenous groups in Australia which makes them
vulnerable to diseases.
9) Poverty
Poverty among the indigenous groups makes it difficult for them to accesses quality
health services (Wilson, Magarey, Jones, O'Donnell, & Kelly, 2015). Also, poverty makes
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people vulnerable to mental illness because of stress.
10) Geographical location
Lastly, the geographic location of the indigenous group makes it difficult for them to
access quality health services. Therefore, it contributes to the indigenous ill health.
Reference

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10 FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE INDIGENOUS ILL HEALTH
Baba, J. T., Brolan, C. E., & Hill, P. S. (2014). Aboriginal medical services cure more than
illness: a qualitative study of how Indigenous services address the health impacts of
discrimination in Brisbane communities. International Journal for Equity in
Health, 13(1), 56.
Wilson, A. M., Magarey, A. M., Jones, M., O'Donnell, K., & Kelly, J. (2015). Attitudes and
characteristics of health professionals working in Aboriginal health. Rural & Remote
Health, 15(1).