...Health Organisation, (2012) defines health to be ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’, (WHO, 2015). However, it is instrumental that future Australian health professionals understand the culturally constructed notions of health within contemporary society. Although going beyond the general medical remedies is almost crucial in comprehending all of the complex interpretations of Indigenous Australian’s health. Improving the health of Indigenous Australians is a longstanding challenge for Australian governments. The gap in health status remains unacceptably wide (Calma, 2007). The lack of equal access to health services and the lower standards of health infrastructure...
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...many health inequities compared to non-Indigenous Australians, these include: • Lower life expectancy: Indigenous Australians have lower life expectancy than non-Indigenous Australians. For example: Indigenous boys born between 2010 and 2012 can expect to live to 69.1 years and Indigenous girls to 73.7 years compared with 79.7 for non-Indigenous boys and 83.1 for non-Indigenous girls. • Higher hospitalisations: Indigenous Australians have higher hospitalisation rates compared to non-Indigenous Australians due to their poorer health status. For example: Indigenous Australians were hospitalised for potentially preventable conditions nearly 4 times as often as non-Indigenous Australians between July 2010 and June 2012. • More likely to smoke: Indigenous Australians are more likely to take part in health risk behaviors such as smoking, which contributes to poorer health status. For example: Two out of 5 Indigenous Australians aged 15 and over (41%) were current daily smokers in 2012–13, which, after adjusting for age, was more than twice the rate of smoking among non-Indigenous Australians in 2011–12. • Lower rates of physical activity: Physical inactivity rates are significantly higher in the Indigenous population than in the non-Indigenous population. For example: About 3 in 5 Indigenous Australians aged 18 and over (62%) reported no or low-level physical activity, which was 10% higher than the rate among non-Indigenous Australians. Question 2. Australia is one...
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... Using the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data answer the following questions: Using current statistical information, discuss the inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous mortality rates in Australia Whilst the overall health of Australians is amongst the top third of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010) here is a clear disparity between Indigenous and non-indigenous health when one considers that even in this day and age of modern medicine, Indigenous Australians are expected to live twelve years less than their non-indigenous counterparts for males, and ten years less for females (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010) Despite significant improvements over the past decade Aboriginal infant mortality is still approximately three times that of non-Aborigines. For ATSI, the reduced overall impact of the communicable diseases has been balanced by a worsening of the "lifestyle" diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease and diabetes which are the biggest single killers of Indigenous peoples and an area where the Indigenous and non-Indigenous health equality gap is most apparent. (Australian Bureau of Statistics,2013) Where in 2012, death in coronary heart disease was number one; Indigenous:non-Indigenous rate ratios was 2:1,and second leading disease was diabetes was 7:0. The third leading cause of death was suicide for Indigenous males and chronic lower respiratory...
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...states that the indigenous peoples of Australia are one of the most disadvantaged indigenous groups in the developed world. The health of the Indigenous population of Australia is an increasingly pressing issue. Current research and statistics reveals great inequality in many areas of health care and health status between the Aboriginal people and the general population of Australia. Couzos and Murray (2008, p. 29) report that the Indigenous population has “the worst health status of any identifiable group in Australia, and the poorest access to health systems.” This paper will examine the underlying historical contexts and contributing factors that have lead to the current disparity between the health of the Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians. Furthermore, the high prevalence of chronic health issues such as diabetes will be analysed and community health initiatives that are needed or currently being enacted will be identified. Many reasons for the current appalling state of health and wellbeing of the Australian Aboriginal people can be explained by examining their recent history to the devastating impacts of colonisation, genocidal policy, loss of land and years of oppression. These several hundred years of cultural destruction, dispossession and social and political upheaval have resulted in generations of trauma and grief (Burke, 2006, para. 4). As reported by Forsyth (2007, p. 35-36), government policies enacted towards the indigenous population in the...
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...been updated and a few times for the last 50 years on a regular basis (Parker &Milroy, 2014). Mental illness is also known as mental health disorder and it is very common in Australia. Mental disorders as defined by WHO (2016) is “comprise a broad range of problems, with different symptoms. However they are generally characterized by some combination of abnormal thoughts, emotions, behaviour and relationship with others. Examples are schizophrenia, depression, intellectual disabilities and disorders due to drug abuse.” Almost relatively half of the population in Australia suffered affective or substance use disorder and anxiety between the age from 16 to 85 in some stage of their life (The Department of Health, 2014). According to Australian government (2013), 7% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hospitalised due to mental health condition. The leading cause of hospitalisation was schizophrenia, alcohol addiction and severe stress reaction (Holland et al., 2013). Among them the most affected age group was 25-44, who suffered from a number of...
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...Cultural barriers affecting the mental health of Indigenous people Cultural barriers certainly have a crucial impact in affecting the mental health of Indigenous people. This is evident as Indigenous people tend to have considerably high levels of stress and anxiety in their lives stemming from the consequences of trauma and grief of stolen generation and dispossession which is intricately linked to mental health and disorder (Craven, 2006).This common pattern of loss of culture, land, voice, family and dignity resulted in poor mental wellbeing for many Indigenous generations over the past century (Brown, 2001). However, problems still continue due to the inadequate research in the mental health of indigenous people. This results in mental illnesses being undiagnosed, undetected for Indigenous people, which makes them disadvantaged with from the rest of the population (Vukic, Gregory, Misener & Etowa, 2001). In addition, if they are diagnosed, they are assessed using Western mainstream methods, such as the DSM-IVclassification system, which does not suit their cultural differences and is culturally inappropriate (Craven, 2006).Also, being treated in the mainstream, it is evident that that their treatment will not be from an Indigenous perspective or worldview, and thus their underlying concerns will be ignored and overlooked (Valmae, Stephen, Melissa, Komla, 2007). There needs to be an understanding of Indigenous culture by healthcare professionals in the mainstream services...
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...The Australian education system which has been operating in Australia since European settlement has been unsuccessful in meeting the needs of Indigenous Australians. There is a long history of educational inadequacy where Aboriginal Australians are concerned. With a comprehensive understanding of the difficulty Indigenous children face in terms of acquiring an education in our education system, it is now possible to recognize particular techniques which may be used in an attempt to counteract or minimise troubles caused by feelings of discrimination amongst Indigenous children. We believe a problem with Aboriginal schooling retention rates is that the students don’t feel captivated or that the content being taught applies to them, and therefore they don’t care for education. We believe our education strategy needs to focus on correcting this by teaching the truth and history about colonisation and developing awareness and appreciation of Indigenous culture. By incorporating Indigenous teachings into the curriculum, we will engage students and improve school completion rates. A good education determines many factors in an Indigenous child’s health, literacy, employment and productivity. It is widely believed that Aboriginal children learn best and most efficiently when educated by a culturally aware teacher, preferably an Indigenous teacher. Aboriginal teachers bring a bigger range of cultural perspectives into schools and develop relations with the Indigenous communities around...
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...This article was downloaded by: [UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE LIBRARY] On: 10 May 2012, At: 20:20 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Journal of Sustainable Tourism Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rsus20 Synergies between Australian indigenous tourism and ecotourism: possibilities and problems for future development Jeremy Buultjens , Deborah Gale & Nadine Elizabeth White a a b a Regional Futures Institute, School of Commerce and Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia b School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia Available online: 23 Apr 2010 To cite this article: Jeremy Buultjens, Deborah Gale & Nadine Elizabeth White (2010): Synergies between Australian indigenous tourism and ecotourism: possibilities and problems for future development, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 18:4, 497-513 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09669581003653518 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Full terms and conditions of use: http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-andconditions This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly...
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...ancestors and is passed on orally. E.g. dreaming stories such as the rainbow serpent. Dreaming links Aboriginals to the land, they are interdependent: “Aboriginals live their lives being at one with the land, and without land their Dreaming, tradition and culture are sure to die” (Anne Gray). Kinship – refers to the network of relationships that hold a clan together central to Aboriginal communities. Through kinship, they are instructed about particular obligations, rights and appropriate forms of behavior. It defines where a person fits into the community. Land is important to kinship and is often referred to as “my mother” so it is shared by many people. Disopession- Dispossession resulted in Aboriginals being separated from their physical land, kinship groups and the removal of their children from their families through the “Stolen Generation”. Dispossession first occurred in 1778 when the First Fleet recognised Australia as “terra nullius”. They implemented policies of protectionism where Aboriginals were removed from their rightful land and tribes and placed in missions. This affected aboriginal people in 2008 with many being permanently separated from their kinship groups and losing their distinct spiritual identity which was destroyed through the process of assimilation. As many Aboriginal beliefs are centred upon their connection to the land which is inhabited by their “ancestral beings” and created through the “dreaming”, many...
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...Health and socioeconomic disadvantage Although the overall level of health and Data source and definitions wellbeing of Australians is relatively high compared with other countries, there are significant disparities in the health outcomes of different populations within Australia. In particular, people who live in areas with poorer socioeconomic conditions tend to have worse health than people from other areas. Previous analysis has shown that disadvantaged Australians have higher levels of disease risk factors and lower use of preventative health services than those who experience socioeconomic advantage.1 This article mainly uses data from the ABS 2007–08 National Health Survey. The analysis is restricted to all people aged 15 years and over unless otherwise stated. The ABS has developed four indexes to rank the level of social and economic wellbeing of a region. The analysis in this article uses the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) of Disadvantage based upon the 2006 Census of Population and Housing. The SEIFA index of relative disadvantage combines a number of variables (such as income, education and unemployment) of people, families and dwellings within an area, and ranks these areas on a scale of relative disadvantage. In this article the scale is divided into quintiles – with the first quintile representing the areas of greatest relative disadvantage and the fifth quintile representing the areas of least relative disadvantage...
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...challenge the theories, concepts and assumptions of those involved in the study of crime (Bryant, 2014). This essay begins by firstly providing a brief description and its origins, how feminist theories causes crime, how its theory defines crime, the multiple feminist perspectives within feminism and how feminist criminology attempts to combat crime. It will then discuss the relevance and how feminist theory influences the criminal justice system, such as women’s role as professionals, as well as women as offenders and victims (Schram & Tibbetts 2013, p. 285). Finally, this essay will examine the applicability to Australian society by exploring if the suggested causes of crime apply to Australian society. It will lastly draw on the criticisms of feminist criminology and how the different types of feminist perspectives lessons the relevance of this theory in Australian society. Outlining the theory Feminist criminology first developed in the 1960’s and 1970’s which was closely associated with the emergence of the Second Wave of Feminism (White, Haines & Asquith 2012, p. 143). The Second Wave of Feminism saw the advent of many issues such as social, political and material inequalities (White, Haines & Asquith 2012, p. 143). Because men were mostly privileged as a group by society, the development of feminist criminology emphasised and raised concerns of the problem of discrimination of females in the study if crime (White, Haines & Asquith 2012, p. 143). Thus, focusing on the...
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...N O R T H E R N T E R R I T O R Y D E PA R T M E N T O F H E A LT H Health Promotion Strategic Framework 2011 - 2015 www.healthynt.nt.gov.au NT Department of Health Health Promotion Strategic Framework 2011 - 2015 Background This framework provides a structure for describing the type of health promotion actions that are used across the Northern Territory. It enables a shared understanding of the actions that can be taken to improve health and wellbeing. It also provides guidance about embedding a health promotion approach into all planning processes, programs and service development across the NT. While this framework is intended to be used within the health sector, we strongly encourage other sectors and agencies outside of the health domain to use the framework. This framework should be used in conjunction with health promotion audit tools and other health promotion resources available in the NT, such as the Public Health Bush Books and the Quality Improvement Program Planning System (QIPPS). It is also designed to be used as a guide, together with other local, regional and national frameworks, policies, strategies and resources. Why Health Promotion? The World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledges the growing evidence that health promotion and preventive health approaches are effective in improving overall health and wellbeing, reducing the burden of chronic disease and injury, addressing health inequities, facilitating the better use of resources and enhancing...
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...Sustainable Tourism Development in Heritage sites -Examination paper- Andra G Table of contents | Page | 1. Introduction ...………………………………………………………………………… | 1 | 2. Limitations ……….…………………………………………………………..…….…. | 1 | 3. Methodology ……………………………………………………………………….…. | 1 | 4. Theoretical framework ……………………………………………………..………… | 2 | 5. Analysis and discussions ..…………………………………………….……………… | 5 | 6. Conclusions …………………………………………………………...……………… | 11 | References …………………………………………………………………….…………. | 12 | 1. Introduction The aim of this paper is to analyze some of the main problems that occur when trying to implement sustainable development tourism in heritage sites and how can they be overcome. The obstacles which appear during the implementation process of sustainable tourism development are the realistic and practical part of the idea itself of being sustainable in developing and practicing tourism within the heritage sites. Theoretically, almost every official heritage site, registered within United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s list of sites (UNESCO), has been supported, either by government or stakeholders, with various policies, regulation and standards which are especially dedicated to the sustainable development of the heritage tourism, involving economical development, environment protection and both cultural and social advantages. But, in practice, there are several issues occurring when trying to apply all...
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...According to Queensland Health (2012) health services that are initiated, controlled and operated by the indigenous community have the potential to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing the appropriate available services. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO) such as Aboriginal Torres Strait Islanders Community Health Services Mackay (ATSICHS) provides holistic and culturally appropriate care. This highlights that access to health services, may be affected by a variety of socioeconomic factors, such as low income, unemployment, second-rate housing and also socio-political factors like forced removal from land and/or family. These factors need be addressed to achieve continuous improvement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders health status. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care services offer clinical care, screening programs, a wide range of preventative health care activities, health-related and/or community supported activities. Queensland Health (2010) focuses on the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which acknowledges the significant gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Queenslanders (approximately 10.4 years for males and 8.9 years for females). Community involvement is a founding principle of the World Health Organisation (WHO) 1978 Alma-Ata primary health care declaration (WHO, 2013). A significant reason for community...
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...www.pc.gov.au. If you require part or all of this publication in a different format, please contact Media and Publications (see below). Publications Inquiries: Media and Publications Productivity Commission Locked Bag 2 Collins Street East Melbourne VIC 8003 Tel: Fax: Email: (03) 9653 2244 (03) 9653 2303 maps@pc.gov.au General Inquiries: Tel: (03) 9653 2100 or (02) 6240 3200 An appropriate citation for this paper is: Productivity Commission 2009, Annual Report 2008-09, Annual Report Series, Productivity Commission, Canberra JEL code: D The Productivity Commission The Productivity Commission, is the Australian Government’s independent research and advisory body on a range of economic, social and environmental issues affecting the welfare of Australians. Its role, expressed most simply, is to help governments make better policies, in the long term interest of the Australian community. The Commission’s independence is underpinned by an Act of Parliament. Its processes and outputs are open to public scrutiny and are driven by consideration for the wellbeing of the...
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