Analyzing the Vulnerability of Aboriginal Populations in Australia

This essay examines the health vulnerabilities of Aboriginal Australians, highlighting the impact of social determinants on their well-being. It explores disparities in life expectancy, healthcare access, and living conditions, comparing them to the broader Australian population. The analysis covers factors like inadequate healthcare infrastructure, lack of awareness about health practices, and cultural and linguistic barriers within healthcare systems. The essay discusses the effects of environmental and societal changes, including the impact of colonization, on Aboriginal communities. It also delves into health outcomes, such as increased rates of diabetes, heart disease, and mortality, emphasizing the role of systemic discrimination and geographical isolation in exacerbating these issues. The references provide additional context from organizations like the Human Rights Commission and the WHO.

ABORIGINALS AS A VULNERABLE POPULATION
Social determinants of health and its impact
The social determinants among the Aboriginal
community include a lack of access to health
care, lower standard of healthcare infrastructure
and a lack of awareness about the correct health
beliefs, sanitation, hygiene and primary care. In
comparison, to the Australians, the age
expectancy of Indigenuos people is 17 years less
life expectancy now. Indigenuos people below
the age of 65 have double the chances of dying
than an average Australian (Human rights, 2017).
Introduction
The aboriginals and Torres strait islanders have a significant
place in the history and culture of Australia. They are
identified as the first people to make home on this land and
their culture is professed to be at least 3000 years old.
Within the period of 2010-2012 the life expectancy of an
Aboriginal islander person was believed to only 10.6 years
old for men and 9.5 years old for women. This is a key
insight about their vulnerable status (WHO, 2018).
Vulnerability
The Aboriginals environment and habitat has dwindled in
the last decade. As a result, they are forced to live in small
quarters which are often overcrowded. This leads to a
competition for the resources and the weaker population is
unlikely to survive for long. Also, after the colonisation of
Australia, their culture and heritage have faced a great
impact. Just over half the people in the age group 15 to 64
are employed. Moreover, about half of the children over the
age of 15 had a deformity (Aihw, 2018).
Capacity
There has been a growing trend from 2011 to educate the
islanders so that they can fend for themselves. However, the
literacy rate still remains low and the highest qualification
among the people still remains a high-school degree
(Human rights, 2017). As a result, there are no fitting or high
paying employment for them that can help to better their
situation. The land, water and food resources are not
accessible or affordable to the islanders. Many islanders still
continue to live in makeshift tents. The children and the
elderly people are underweight. Healthcare resources are
also not sparsely available.
Health inequalities
The earning of an average Aboriginal
household is only 55% of an average
Australian household. This disparity the
basis of their health and quality of life. An
indigenuos person is three times more likely
to contract diabetes, and as likely to
contract heart diseases within 35 to 44 age
group as an average Australian after the age
of 75 (Human rights, 2017).
Health inequities
Their geographical location in the remote
and unaccessed area is one of the greatest
reasons for their omission in the healthcare
coverage. The linguistic and cultural barriers
is the healthcare organisation like
differences in health beliefs, behaviour,
language barrier and their conceptions of
gender and sexuality. These barriers lead to
miscommunication and may aggravate the
condition making the indigenuos people
more hesitant to accept help (Williamson et
al. 2019).
Health outcomes
The indigenuos people do not have equal
opportunity to have good health conditions.
Their living conditions do not support the
healthy living. The death rates of the
indigenous people have fallen to 30% from
70% noted in 1991 (Aihw, 2018). However,
there has been no reduction in the number
of deaths because of cardiovascular
diseases. Their dismal health condition is
also because of systemic discrimination that
they have to face.
References
Human rights, (2017), Face the facts: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Retrieved from ://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/education/face-facts-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples
Human rights, (2017), Social determinants and the health of Indigenous peoples in Australia – a human rights based approach, Retrieved from
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/about/news/speeches/social-determinants-and-health-indigenous-peoples-australia-human-rights-based
WHO, (2018), Australia’s disturbing health disparities set Aboriginals apart, Retrieved from https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/4/08-020408/en/
Aihw, (2018), Insights into vulnerabilities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over—in brief, Retrieved from
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/indigenous-australians/vulnerabilities-aboriginal-torres-strait-50-over/contents/introduction
Williamson, A., Gibberd, A., Hanly, M. J., Banks, E., Eades, S., Clapham, K., & Falster, K. (2019). Social and emotional developmental vulnerability at age five in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in New South Wales: a
population data linkage study. International journal for equity in health, 18(1), 120.