Racism's Influence: Media Analysis on Indigenous Health in Australia

This report examines the detrimental effects of racism on the health and well-being of Indigenous Australians, analyzing four media items to illustrate its impact. The introduction provides a background on social determinants of health, highlighting racism as a significant factor contributing to health disparities. Each media item is summarized, focusing on key points and how they relate to the broader topic. The analysis includes personal reflections on the information presented, offering insights into the role of racism in health outcomes, access to healthcare, and the need for cultural awareness and policy changes. The report emphasizes the importance of addressing racism to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians, advocating for government intervention and a greater understanding of social determinants. The report aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion on racism's impact on health.

Running head: RACISM ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIGENOUS 1
Media Portfolio: Racism as a Social determinant affecting Indigenous health and well-being
Institution’s Name
Date

RACISM ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIGENOUS 2
Introduction
Various aspects have been documented in regards to indigenous health and well-being.
They include but are not limited to housing, education, and access to medical care,
unemployment and racism (Artuso et al., 2013). Scholars broadly classify them under social
determinants and have a significant effect on indigenous health and well-being. The social
determinant is poorly dealt with in Australia about equality among all groups of people. For
instance, racial discrimination is rampant among non-indigenous towards indigenous people
which in effect has negative impacts on indigenous health and well-being.
In particular, racism as one of the social determinant affects indigenous health and well-
being. It is a factor that raises a lot of concerns, and there is vast information concerning the vice
among media items. Although the government, both the current and previous one, has tried to
address the issue, racism continues to play a crucial in shaping the lives of indigenous
Australians (Baba, Brolan, & Hill, 2014). Documents reveal that this group of people face
depression and commit suicide at a greater rate than their counterparts and do not access health
services as non-indigenous.
In this paper, I intend to analyze four media items that discussed racism as a factor
affecting the health and well-being of indigenous Australian. In analyzing the paper, it is
important to look at the key points of the media item and how it fits in the broader picture of the
topic or unit under discussion (Baum et al., 2013). Additionally, the paper will give a personal
reflection on the information on the media item about the topic under discussion, that is, racism
affects and continues to affect indigenous Australian health and well-being.
Media article1

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Racism in the health system plagues efforts to close the gap for Indigenous Australians, report
says (Aubusson, 2014)
http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/racism-in-the-health-system-plagues-efforts-to-close-
the-gap-for-indigenous-australians-report-shows-20170315-guyhz4.html
Key summary
This article is about racism on an indigenous group of Australia that is common and
continues to exist in health care system. At the beginning of the article, it tries to demonstrate
how hard it is even for students to accomplish their medical careers as a result of it. The article
demonstrates this by Ms. Banok Ring experience, as a child, and in hospital. To start with her
experience as a child, her teacher underrates her ability. She cites a report by, closing the Gap
report, which states that life expectancy of indigenous Australians is less by 10-17 on average
than that of non-Australians. Additionally, chronic illnesses and preventable diseases do not exist
in high-income countries although common among indigenous Australians. In regards to seeking
medical intervention, racism has made Indigenous Australians be reluctant to visit health centers
for fear of resist attacks and other unwelcoming behaviors. Unfortunately, few indigenous
Australian health workers in health care facilities make it difficult to bring cultural change. Even
though Doctors Association condemns racism, the government needs to address social
determinant of health and conduct a national inquiry to solve the problem.
How the media Item fits in the Unit and Topic
In the unit under the discussion of the effects of racialism and another social determinant,
the media item puts it clearly that racism has a significant influence on the health and well-being
of people. A person potential or academic ability is not gauged by his color or historical

RACISM ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIGENOUS 4
background but the hard work and talent she or he has, Ms. Banok, despite being of Aboriginal
origin, becomes a nurse. In addition to that, racial discrimination in provision of health services
is a factor in reducing the life expectancy of individuals and avoiding preventable disease
(Cunningham, & Paradies, 2013). There are many ways in solving racial discrimination, and one
best such method is through cultural awareness. As stated in the media item, cultural awareness
helps in building a society through integration and emphasizing the understanding that there is no
benefit of racism but a vice that does not befit humanity (Durey, Thompson, & Wood, 2012). In
addition to that, the best way to tackle social determinant of health affecting health and well-
being of the indigenous Australian is through involving the government to push for the
implementation of policies that will see the vice reduced or terminated.
How the article contribute to discussion and debate
The item contributes to the debate on racism on health and well-being of indigenous
people of Australia in a positive way. The author has effectively highlighted the side effects that
this group of people suffers under racialism as a social determinant (Durey et al., 2012). In
addition to that, the article has provided for some of the plausible solutions that one can use to
come up with or put an end to this vice in attempt to avoid causing unnecessary harm to
Australian indigenous people. Lastly, the author has demonstrated efficiently that various forms
of racism can affect an individual (Ferdinand, Paradies, & Kelaher, 2013). For instance, it can be
in schools, in the administration of treatment or general conversation among medics. However,
the author does not give any data or statistics to prove her claim (Thomas, Bainbridge, & Tsey,
2014). Despite the fact that she mentions of the indigenous Australians living a shorter life than
non-indigenous, her average age does not come from any reliable source leaving readers to
speculate (Schmitt et al., 2014).

RACISM ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIGENOUS 5
Personal reflection
I find the article more of an opinion. I think for the author to have achieved more in
advocating for social determinants of health affecting health and well-being of indigenous
Australians is by using data from a reliable source, or table or even the trends that have been
documented.
Media article 2
Half of Australians are racist towards Aborigines... and one in five would move away on public
Transport (Tran, 2014)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2709148/Half-Australians-racist-Aborigines-one-five-
away-public-transport.html
Key summary
This article written by Cindy Tran and published on 29 July 2014 on the mail online
acknowledges that there is racism in Australia, conducted by non-indigenous against the
indigenous and which is affecting their health and well-being. Specifically, the article notes that
about one percent makes a joke about indigenous Australians and half of them avoid sitting close
to them in public transport. In addition to that, the author notes that half of indigenous people
experience racism while a third of them have either high or very high level of levels of
psychological distress which either causes anxiety or distress. The writer suggests that racism is
not only a practice of non-indigenous towards indigenous but also the government, as it treats
them unfairly and describe them as lazy. As a consequence to health and well-being, it leads to
distress which in turn makes indigenous Austrians to suffer from depression and anxiety.

RACISM ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIGENOUS 6
Moreover, the article stipulates that the number of indigenous who commits suicide is twice as
much as that of non-indigenous and three times more experience psychological distress than their
non-indigenous counterparts. However, the CEO of BeyondBlue believes that a campaign to
condemn and expose it is the best in solving the problem. One way in doing so is to make people
aware of the vice through ads.
How the article fits into the topic and discussion
The media item captures well how racism influences the health and well-being of an
individual. For instance, distress, depression and anxiety are conditions that the social
determinant has the potential to cause on indigenous (Australians World Health Organization,
2014). In addition to that, suicide can occur as a result of one being distressed, experiencing
depression and being anxious (Guenther et al., 2017). They are conditions that can be influenced
by racism. In countries where racism affects the indigenous group, the government cannot deny
its role or absolve from the blame (Hollinsworth, 2016). In solving the problem of racism on
indigenous health and well-being, it is important to enlighten people or the public to know better
about the issue at hand (Han, 2010). By educating the public of the negative effect of the social
determinant, that is racism. It will form a basis upon which they will start understanding the vice.
How it contribute to the discussion and debate
There are various ways that the media item contributes to the discussion and debate.
Firstly, the author has achieved in demonstrating how social determinant can have a negative
effect on the health and wellbeing of indigenous Australians (Hill et al., 2013). In particular, the
media has effectively demonstrated the relation between racism and depression which in turn
causes suicide among the indigenous people. In addition to that, there are cases the article has

RACISM ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIGENOUS 7
contributed in explaining why there exist high incidences of death as a result of suicide among
indigenous at a larger number than non-indigenous (Kelaher, Ferdinand, & Paradies, 2014). By
giving out this information, the author achieves what he wanted to achieve and that is educating
the public about how bad is racism in indigenous Australians (Rickwood et al., 2014). The article
also gives a possible solution to the problem, and this is something that, readers can learn from
on methods of fighting racism and saving the indigenous group of the vice.
Self-reflection
I think the author has tried to put more statistics to come up with his arguments which is a
good thing but leaves us with the puzzle of whether the figures are an authentic or mere
generalization. It is also worth noting that the figures being stated are not from any reputable
source. However, I think it is important that the author acknowledges that there is need to
address the issue of racism as a social determinant affecting health and well-being of indigenous
Australians. On the other hand, there is a lot of information coming from BlueBond, a body
advocating for the change. However, most private bodies have interests and motives, and it will
be unwise for me to think that their information is not biased to serve their interest.
Media Item 3
Is racism affecting health outcomes for some Australians?( Chingaipe, 2014)
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/02/21/racism-affecting-australians-health
Key summary
It is a radio program from World News Radio by Santilla Chingaipe. She speaks of how
racism is negatively affecting indigenous health and well-being. To illustrate this, the state that it

RACISM ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIGENOUS 8
is a known fact that indigenous Australians have lower life expectancy than non-indigenous.
Also, the group experience high rates of diseases and other health problems. According to the
Social determinant of Health Alliance, they call upon for an end to institutional racism in the
provision of health services which they believe is disadvantaging the indigenous people of
Australia in receiving lesser treatment in health care centers. According to reports, they tend to
receive less care and treatment despite them falling ill more often and in a large number than
non-indigenous. In effect, they face the risk of death in hospital, twice than non-indigenous
Australians. Lastly, she takes note that hospital or health care facility does not factor in the idea
that indigenous Australians fall ill more frequent and thus, need special if not serious attention.
There are some solutions that the radio presenter suggests, the first one being cultural awareness.
Another one is the government to acknowledge that racism is not only bad, but it affects
indigenous health and well-being as well. In addition to that, the radio presenter recommends
that the government ought to implement and inquiry prepared by the senate in addressing social
determinant of health. Thus, the radio presenter tries to bring to people’s attention the manner in
which racism affects Australian indigenous health and well-being and various ways that this can
be solved.
How it fits into the unit overall and topic discussed
The transcription ascertain to the notion that indigenous Australians experience sickness
more often than their non-indigenous counterparts. Also, institutional racism has been said to be
rampant in Australia especially about treating the indigenous (Priest et al., 2013). Moreover, it is
important to factor in the trend of sickness in relations to the people it affects most before
making decisions on matters related to the provision of health care (Marmot et al., 2012). The
article main goal is to explain systemic discrimination on the indigenous group further. Just like

RACISM ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIGENOUS 9
in the article, systemic racial discrimination has been identified as a major concern among
indigenous Australians and hinders equitable distribution of health services. There are ways that
one can deal with the issue, among them is the government involvement in the implementation of
recommendations made by its organs, for instance, the Senate inquiry report (McCallum, &
Waller, 2013). It is also true that where there is racial discrimination in health services, there will
be an automatic increase in the risk of death, the same is suggested in the article.
How media article contribute to the discussion and debate
The transcription has the potential to reach a larger audience and advocate for the plight of
indigenous Australians. The transcription also tries to use reputable sources in addressing his
issues such as reports which again makes it possible for listeners to believe what she is saying
(Osborne, Baum, & Brown, 2013). It is also important to note that the transcription appreciates
the value of cultural awareness as a way of addressing the issues. Lastly, it contributes to the
topic and debate as it identifies social determinants as causes of ill-health and well-being among
the indigenous Australians and offers recommendations of solving the problem (Ware, 2013).
Personal reflection
The transcription begins by giving general statistics on the situation in regards to the state
of health of indigenous Australian. I think this is a better approach in trying to convince listeners,
in that, before they even form their judgment, at the bottom of their heart, they are sympathetic to
the indigenous people. It can also negatively affect the judgment of a person and making
listeners be less objective on the issues at hand.
Media article 4

RACISM ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIGENOUS 10
Australia's emergency medicine college discriminating on race, review says (Knaus, 2017).
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/26/australias-emergency-medicine-college-
discriminating-on-race-review-says
Key Summary
This article published in the independent newspaper talks of how medical schools
demonstrate racism on indigenous Australian medical students and the effect this has on their
health and well-being. Christopher Knaus, the writer of the paper, stipulates that there is
systemic racism in the College of Emergency that is enabling racial bias to determine who passes
the exam or fail. The article backs this claim by showing that an expert advisory group report
indicates that 2015 examination could have intentionally led to systemic racial segregation
consequences. The discrimination is a result of an introduction of a method of bias that
unconsciously affects examiners.
This development raises the concern of health and well-being of students that prepare for
the exams. Knaus indicates that there are reports that show students facing ill-health associated
with stress both during the preparation and failing of the examinations. Knaus relay on the
information that the students gives him, as he describes of the incidence that the students contact
the Guardian to air their grievances. However, the college denies any claim of racism that either
determines who pass or fail examinations or causing ill-health to students. In addition to that, the
college, through their lawyer absolves themselves of any wrongdoing by mentioning an
Independent Expert Advisory Group that investigated their conduct and cleared and there are no
concerns at all. In this article therefore, the writer demonstrates concerns over racial
discrimination in Colleges and how it is affecting the health and well-being of students.

RACISM ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIGENOUS 11
How it fits into the unit and topic
The article identifies institution of higher learning as a place marred with racial
discrimination affecting the well-being of students and their psychological health. The article is
relevant and fits well in addressing or demonstrating that social determinant has a side effect on
health and well-being of an individual (Paradies et al., 2015). In addition to that, the article fits
well with the topic of racism as a social determinant affecting the minority and one that has
adverse effects on the victims in relation to health and well-being (Parker, & Milroy, 2014). As
demonstrated by the article, people are growing more uncomfortable by the inequality of the
social determinant of health and are ready to address them by use of media items.
How media item contribute to the debate and topic
Like other articles, it achieves in making the point that systemic discrimination has
effects on mental health and well-being of people (Ray & Poonwassie, 2017). The article
contributes to the debate and topic by acting as a whistleblower to the vices that occurs in the
institutions of higher learning in churning out health practitioners despite an independent body
giving them go ahead.
Personal reflection
I think the author is not to be believed in whatever he is saying. To start with his sources,
he uses the opinion of students who can neither be traced nor relied upon whether they are facing
racial discrimination that is affecting their health and well-being. Additionally, I see the author
not acknowledging an independent investigation conducted by the institution which stipulated a
zero tolerance to such vices as far as a social determinant of health is concerned.

RACISM ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIGENOUS 12
Conclusion
Thus, social determinants play a significant role in the health and well-being of people
and this case, indigenous Australian. It is now clear that racism, as one of the social determinants
can cause depression, distress and other psychological problems associated with mental illness.
In the worst case scenario, this has been associated with increased number of suicide among the
indigenous Australians experiencing racism. There is also institutional racialism in schools and
health centers which is common in Australia. It also has a bearing on the state of health and well-
being of the indigenous. The articles and transcriptions have demonstrated that there is a problem
that needs to be solved. In line with the unit and topic of discussion, the media items have
demonstrated how social determinant of health affect the well-being of indigenous Australians.
The items have also tried to contribute to the debate on the positive way in advocating for an end
of the vice and providing various recommendations that one can use to solve the problem. I have
made various observations, in regards to the media items, I think the makers were a bit
superficial in digging for information and relied more on opinion than concrete facts either by
using reputable sources, data or research, save for two or one item.

RACISM ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIGENOUS 13
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