Indigenous Health Perspectives: Factors and Solutions

This report examines Indigenous health perspectives, focusing on the health disparities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-indigenous Australians. It explores the impact of cultural differences, socio-economic factors, and the historical consequences of colonization on health outcomes. The report references key studies, including research on cultural barriers to healthcare access and the impact of socio-economic disadvantage. It also includes a response that agrees with the provided points and emphasizes the importance of addressing health disparities through appropriate strategies. The discussion highlights the need to consider poor nutrition, drug and substance abuse as factors influencing health disparities and the impact on children. The report aims to provide insights into the complex factors affecting Indigenous health and suggests potential solutions to promote equal health outcomes.

Running Head: INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 1
Indigenous Health Perspectives
Name of Student
Name of Institution
Date
Author’s Note

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2
Indigenous Health Perspectives
Various factors contribute to the health disparity outcomes between the non-indigenous
Australians and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. One factor is the cultural
difference. According to Li (2017), cultural barriers can play a significant role in accessing
healthcare. Differences in the cultural background between the physician and the doctor can
affect the treatment plan and developing a patient-nurse therapeutic relationship. Another factor
is socio-economic status; lack of enough funds or lack of insurance has contributed significantly
to the disparity in the health outcomes. These factors interrelated because an improvement in the
socio-economic status will result in accessibility to healthcare. In addition, the creation of
cultural awareness will encourage interaction between the various cultures (Thurber, & Bell,
2019).
References
Li, J. L. (2017). Cultural barriers lead to inequitable healthcare access for aboriginal Australians
and Torres Strait Islanders. Chinese Nursing Research, 4(4), 207-210.
Thurber, K. A., & Bell, K. J. (2019). Socio-economic disadvantage and cardiovascular risk
factors in young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Burns, 1067, 1079.

INDIGENOUS HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 3
Response
I agree with the response made by my colleague. Socio-economic factors, racism, and
history play a significant role in the health disparity between the indigenous and the non-
indigenous Australians. Poor nutrition, drug and substance abuse has also played a significant
role informing a health disparity between the two communities. McNamara et al. (2018),
explains that children are greatly affected by this health disparity. I also agree that the social
consequences of colonization resulted in a health disparity between the indigenous Australians
and the non-indigenous Australians. Appropriate strategies should, therefore, be implemented to
reduce the health disparity and ensure equal health outcomes.
References
McNamara, B., Gubhaju, L., Jorm, L., Preen, D., Jones, J., Joshy, G., ... & Eades, S. (2018).
Exploring factors impacting early childhood health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander families and communities: protocol for a population-based cohort study using
data linkage (the ‘Defying the Odds’ study). BMJ Open, 8(3), e021236.