Comprehensive Report on Indigenous Health and Wellbeing in Australia

This report delves into the critical issues surrounding Indigenous health and wellbeing in Australia. It examines the historical and ongoing impact of colonization, including the introduction of diseases and the dispossession of land, and how these factors continue to influence the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The report analyzes the themes presented in resources such as "Freedom of Our Life" and "You Can't Ask That," highlighting the effects of institutional and casual racism within the healthcare system and advocating for cultural safety. It includes a sociological case study focusing on providing culturally appropriate care to an elderly Aboriginal patient with diabetes, emphasizing the importance of patient involvement, communication, respect for cultural practices, and addressing systemic biases in healthcare delivery. The report underscores the need for healthcare professionals to understand and address the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities to promote equitable and effective healthcare services.

Running head: INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLBEING 1
Indigenous health and wellbeing
Student’s name
Professor’s name
Institutional Affiliation
Date

INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLBEING 2
Indigenous health and wellbeing
Part 1
Resource one: "Freedom of our life."
(i). what were the central themes in this program?
"Exploring the story "is a theme that was used to guide the secondary student to study the
narrative of their first Aboriginal life experience. The exploration topic consisted of series that
represented the history that helped the senior student to apply critical analysis of the series in
history. The theme of ideas and issues exploration and telling the story is a section used during
the time of political and freedom struggle. The menace of the annihilation of the first
Australians of at the time of Wurundjeri clan leadership was led by Wonga who intended to seek
their land from the authorities. The Scottish preacher helped them to claim their land and
inspired the people on the farming practice until the authorities stepped in and resisted this self-
determination. In the resource of "freedom of our life's", the first Australians focused on many
issues. Some of these issues include; the reasons of the establishment of the Aboriginal reserves,
the cruel functioning of the reserves, the necessity of these reserves, how the authority managed
these reserves, success and failures of the aboriginal reserves and how to handle the issue of
reserves in their land. The intentions of the powers for making the life in the Aboriginal reserves
hard. All the above factors contributed to the struggle in the fight for their freedom of life.
(ii) How does the aspect of colonisation, portrayed in this program continue to influence the
indigenous people?
Colonization in Australia led to decrease in population of the original introduction of the new
diseases in the region. The conditions affect the Aboriginal people's health up to date. The

INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLBEING 3
colonisers killed the indigenous people directly, and as they occupied their land making them
slaves in their area, the native was abused physically due to forced labour. The women and girls
of the indigenous were abused sexually, and this led to the infection of venereal diseases which
is a significant health problem in Australia nowadays. The introduced disease is still the health
nuisance in Australia. These epidemic diseases were the most immediate consequences of
colonisation. These diseases include; measles, influenza and smallpox which spread through the
frontier and destroyed many indigenous people. The magnitude of settlers and the indigenous
health despondency varies significantly across the area and period. However, the is an indefinite
discretion that native people suffer more on the high mortality rate of infants, high suicidal rates
and the general indigenous population carry a more substantial burden of infectious disease. On
the continuous proliferation of health research, there are rare accusations of adverse colonialist
outcomes of health, and the situation became a historical event, in fact, a constant process of
negative impact on the health of indigenous.
Resource two: "you can't ask that."
(i) The things that stood out about this program.
The program “you can’t ask that” demonstrated that the value of the disabled and the sick
population in Australia. The program respected the right of every individual in Australia. It
confirmed the capability of blind population parental care. It gives firm examples of successful
strategies and approaches to the students both in the classroom and outside. It helps the
Aboriginal nursing students to demystify the perceived problems of incorporating and finding
aboriginal outlook. The program evaluates how education achievement is linked with health,
housing, crime, justice, employment and examines different results for non-indigenous
Australians and indigenous Australians across different ranks of attainment. It enables the

INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLBEING 4
Aboriginal health professional to understand the health policy and their right intervention
practice to all.
(ii) How the information from this program changed the way you would treat an Aboriginal or
Torres Strait Islander patient?
“You can’t ask that” program shown in Australian TV teaches the manner and rules of asking
about things. The program inspires the health professional and teachers on how to draw the
integrated information of aboriginal cultures and histories in all subjects and levels. It has shown
the need for respect of the disability through the selection of the blind couple that was interview
on media.
Then Blind Citizens Australian association represented the voice of all blind people. The blind
couple represented a broad range of people from all aspect who happened to be vision impaired.
The diseased and the disabled have a right to be involved all cultural and community activities.
The program has shown a sense of elimination of discrimination of the handicapped in job
opportunities and in other community events as all the Australians are equal. All the people need
similar health care services whether an Aboriginal or from any other tribe. As a nurse, one
should treat the aboriginal patient with all available and necessary services. Each patient needs
quality efficient and safe health care services.
Resource three; addressing racism in Australia.
(i) The takeaway message from this resource as a future health professional.
Racism and discrimination result in anxiety and depression to the indigenous
Australian. Racism in health care providers may lead to poor self- report of health status.
Bias in the health care system is the barrier that needs to be addressed. To offer the best

INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLBEING 5
health service to all the people of Australia, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
(Aboriginal) have been subjected to racism for many years. Regarding healthcare
services Australians are the most disadvantaged across all aspects of social, health
indicators and also economically.
(ii) Discuss one example of casual or institutional racism that was mentioned in the program.
Institutional racism is a type of racism which is expressed in the practice of
political and social institution. An example of where institutional racism in Australia is
where different achievement criteria for the whites and indigenous. In Perth, Derbarl
Yerrigan Aboriginal Medical services funds were reduced when there was an overspent
which arose from the high performance in attracting clients. At the same time, the white
hospitals' overspend was 120 times as more as that of Derbarl Yerrigan. The white
teaching hospital was then compensated with an extra of $100 million for their overspent
money. This demonstrated discrimination concerning funding the healthcare services.
The indigenous people who are the aboriginal were given low-cost nursing care services
in the hospitals while the whites were given high – cost advanced care. In patients" body
part" funding, different mainstreams of cash for necessary conditions like heart disease
and diabetes for health services that was supposed to be holistic. Out of 26 funding
streams, the Aboriginal community received a few of them in contrast to the funding
streams given to the cohort community.
Standard page; "yatdjuligin."
Assisting the indigenous nursing student to acquire a working knowledge of the issues
that are significant to the indigenous Australians and their connections to the mainstream
of health services provision including contemporary and historical issues. There is a need

INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLBEING 6
for addressing problems embedding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
concerns in the midwifery and nursing curriculum in various learning institutions in
Australia such as secondary schools and universities. It was essential to increase the
number of books in Australia that address the requirements of nursing curriculum from
the indigenous perspectives. Establishing an accessible way of availing the books that
focus on addressing the Aboriginal health issues to the nursing studies. The writing
about the history of the Aboriginal health life experiences especially regarding
healthcare services is critical. The article about the healthcare service history helps in
clarifying, maintaining and preserving the tales, knowledge, stories and understanding
their needs more by all other Australians.
Part B
Sociological case study
(i) Involving the patient in the healthcare decision- making the process that creates a
cultural safety to the patient by ensuring both the patient and the family members
to understand what is going on and that support and resource are available.
The treatment, resources and support include the specialist doctor in diabetes, patient's
advocates, and clergy and all the diabetic related equipment and tools. Encouraging the
patient and the family by providing the possible available support and including them in
all aspects of decisions and care. Providing the patient and the family the crucial details
of the concert of health care decision- making. It's always essential to consult either the
patient directly or any of his family member in the issue that concerns the patient privacy
like toilet needs and bed baths. Involving a female nurse in some problems like bathing
or changing the patient's clothes could be a taboo or an embarrassment to the aboriginal

INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLBEING 7
community. As a matter of cultural ways and behaviour, the understanding and knowing
the protocols of the indigenous people is a starting point for a nurse working with such a
patient. Explaining evaluation and interpretation of the language by other medical
practitioners in the in the decisions if the patient or the family members are not familiar
with it. Providing hope and offering protection to the old man in case of hospital dangers
such as electric shock. Giving the patient company and encouraging him with hope for
quick recovery.
(ii) Giving the patient the priority to determine whether or not the service care he
received is culturally safe.
Engaging the other working in the hospital to have interaction with the local
Aboriginal community to moderate cultural safety and quality services in the emergency
department. Lack of cultural protection could be led to the insufficient and non-effective
services which can result in death provide a designated space for the old Aboriginal
patient in consultation with local community if possible. Ensuring an excellent capacity
for evolution and introspection in response to the related health social issues from all
chronic diseases. For appropriate cultural care to the diabetic man, it was essential to
keep his information private and proper documentation of his details. Communication
matters a lot in providing social safety care to the Aboriginal patient. It's always
necessary to interpret and explain the doctor's diagnosis decisions, plan of treatment and
the medicinal prescription to the Aboriginal patient. To keep him informed. Translation
of the conversation between the patient and the staff makes him reduce the feeling of
negligence and discrimination which would initiate the death of the patient. To safety
social care to the patient, it was crucial to involve the other enrolled nurses to abide by

INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLBEING 8
the laws and policies enforced by the state government in health care system of
Australia. Supervision of the other nurses' movements in healthcare service providers to
ensure the best treatment of the Aboriginal man. Safety to the cultural right allows the
indigenous people to make their own decisions.
(iii) Preparing the patient to feel important and know that he is valid.
There are method s of supporting and understanding the health and well-being of
most diabetic patient are not drawn on strict biomedical approach safety, and quality care
is enhanced when perspectives are bridged and honoured to concede the patient's
approach. Availing the parameter used in diabetes treatments to avoid any misleading
from the assaulting nurses is a right way of offering the patient security. Evacuation of
postulates that regards the patient desire to access the indigenous traditional medicine or
herbals are recommended. Giving and ensuring the other the other staff respect the
family, friends and the community or sacred items that the patient chose as a part of care.
These items may include; tobacco, median bundles, drums and pipes. Ensuring
Indigenous medicines and cultural believes are highly valued and respected. Discussion
of the appropriate ways of handling the items with the family members. Informing and
explaining to the patient about the information on the posters and notices allows him to
be aware of the protocol and procedures of the hospital. Letting the patient feel worthy
as an Australian with minimal discrimination or racism for being Aboriginal. In my
awareness offering the best quality and safety, social care services don't cost any to the
patient. It's the way to eliminate racism in the urban hospitals is to act as an example to
the other staff and to act reasonably to all patient regardless of their colour, geographical
area, tribe or origin.

INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLBEING 9
(iv) Recognizing the effect of complex intergeneration of events on good and access to
better healthcare services.
This principle reflects the way the patient behaviours are, and altitudes appear. It
challenges the overall healthcare profession practice and development. Ensuring the non-
shaming and nonjudgmental conversation within the healthcare system. Fluent communication
skills both verbal and written develops self-awareness considering a sense of compassion for the
patient. The principle enables the diabetic patient to change his attitude to ill health and
understand the importance of maintaining the hospital and medical pieces of advice. It applies
where the diabetic patient has to adhere to the specific diet, involve in more straightforward
regular physical exercises and follow the medication instructions. It's important to advise the
aboriginal man to take it as a responsibility for maintaining his health. Provide support and
guidance on how to handle their family conflicts solutions that would endanger their disease
conditions. The attitude change of the nursing staff and medical will alter the state of Aboriginal
health and also influence the Aboriginal's perspective towards healthcare services in public
hospitals. It is essential to allow the patient's family, friends, relatives and social communities to
visit the patient in a critical condition such when one is in emergency department so as preserve
his or her culture. As one of the healthcare providers, it is good to highlight and educate the other
multidisciplinary teams on the overall human rights to minimise the direct discrimination in the
health care centre.