Indigenous Australian Families in Health and Community

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Rationale for Choosing the Policy
Critical Analysis of the Policy
Racism and Colonisation in the Policy Context
Recommendations for Learning and Professional Practice
Conclusion
Reference List

Introduction

The use of strategies aimed at promoting health among the indigenous population and increasing the importance of medical care among Aboriginal people is the evidence of a competent social policy. In the context of Australian culture, the issues of interaction between colonists and natives have always been topical, and today, relevant steps are taken in this direction. As one of the solutions promoting the engagement of the indigenous people of Australia in a health promotion program, the strategy called “The Northern Territory Chronic Conditions Self Management Framework 2012-2020” is implemented (Northern Territory Department of Health 2012).

Those specialists who develop this policy set goals to provide appropriate medical care to aborigines. Many Australian territories are scarcely inhabited, and people’s involvement in the national assistance program is an important decision from the standpoint of humanity and professional medical ethics. The problems of racism and the challenges of colonisation have had a significant impact on the lifestyle of the indigenous population of the country, but the provisions of the program under review make it possible to achieve the goals set to promote health, thereby improving the quality of the target community’s life.

Rationale for Choosing the Policy

The presented policy is relevant because its key goal is assisting the indigenous population, which is a worthy mission in the face of challenges in the interaction of Aboriginal people with the authorities. According to the Northern Territory Department of Health (2012), this program promotes self-management, which is a valuable practice in conditions of partial or complete isolation. Also, this strategy designed for a long period provides relevant regulatory rules not only for the indigenous population but also for healthcare employees, thereby expanding the list of stakeholders. Judging by the name of this policy, its key aim is to help minimise the problems associated with chronic diseases.

Based on the report from the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (2017), Aborigines have a roughly twice as high disease rating as ordinary people on the continent, and chronic illnesses account for a key percentage. Burgess et al. (2015) state that problems with the cardiovascular system are the most common health issues among the target audience. As a result, many points of the strategy under consideration are aimed at solving these illnesses.

Aboriginal Recognition

The recognition of the strategy under consideration by the target audience is an essential aspect of the practical activities’ success. Based on the report provided in this program, healthcare professionals working in the remote areas of the continent are often confronted with the unusual preferences of the indigenous population regarding services provided (Northern Territory Department of Health 2012).

In other words, Aboriginal requests may have nothing to do with the medical topic, which creates obstacles to their implementation. However, this program works in order to satisfy the needs of as many patients as possible, thereby helping them prepare for specific interventions. The combination of special practices used in local communities with modern medical approaches gives healthcare employees the support of the population and allows them to count on the success of the strategy. This, in turn, helps increase confidence among Aboriginal people and contributes to their voluntary participation in the program.

Aim Achievement

It is too early to assume that the policy in question has reached its goal since the program will continue until 2020 in accordance with the plan. Nevertheless, by today, there significant positive results have been achieved. For instance, according to experts who developed a report on all the provisions of the intervention strategy, many people, including the indigenous population of the country, began to understand the basics of self-care better through interaction with the program members (Nothern Territory Department of Health 2012).

Also, based on current outcomes, the standard of living of Aboriginal people has improved due to the actions of medical staff, in particular, promoted educational methods (Nothern Territory Department of Health 2012). Thus, although the policy is still at the implementation stage, its productivity and the achievement of the set goals indicate the success of the measures taken and the value of the approaches promoted in the program.

Critical Analysis of the Policy

When taking into account the goals that this policy sets for itself, in particular, helping both non-indigenous and indigenous people in Australia, the introduction of this program is an important and necessary step. According to Gibson et al. (2015), the gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and colonists is one of the factors that motivated stakeholders to implement the strategy. The methods of specialists’ work are also successful since meeting the needs of the indigenous population is not an easy task due to the lack of education of this social class and their remoteness from civilisation. Interaction with the residents of sparsely populated regions, including island territories, helps to establish relationships between Aboriginal people and those who live in cities.

These outcomes create an opportunity for collaborating with the indigenous people, which is essential in the context of the split of the country and ethical issues that have occurred during the whole period of coexistence. Therefore, the value of the intervention is determined by a number of factors, including both social and political aspects.

Improving the social determinants of health is one of the essential strengths of the strategy. Based on the official report presented by the Northern Territory Department of Health (2012), the program helps address such issues as smoking, alcohol consumption and nutrition and stimulates physical activity and a positive emotional state in general. Nevertheless, the situation is complicated by the fact that when the cultures of the indigenous and non-indigenous populations cross, different approaches to certain habits and views on specific interventions may occur.

As Schmidt, Campbell and McDermott (2016) state, some Aborigines do not realise the harm that, for instance, smoking tobacco does to their health. As a result, communication difficulties may arise, as it is essential for medical professionals to convey why chronic and other diseases often occur due to an unhealthy lifestyle. Thus, addressing social determinants is an important and useful aspect, although productive communication can be complicated significantly.

Implementing the program aimed at improving the health status of the Australian population, including Aboriginal people, in relation to chronic diseases plays an essential role in the context of social policy. Gibson et al. (2015) argue that cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and some other ailments are those problems that violate positive statistics and inhibit the achievement of the goals set. Collaboration with the country’s population has important implications for the work of medical employees because their authority among people grows, which, in turn, increases the degree of trust and helps strengthen the national healthcare system. Thus, addressing the crucial issues of people’s health is relevant for all interested parties.

Finally, the aid program under consideration has value in the context of ethical issues, which, in particular, concerns the indigenous population. As Gibson et al. (2015) remark, earlier, Aboriginal people often faced such problems as a frivolous perception of their requests, ignoring appeals, and other challenges. This policy is aimed at overcoming the existing barriers and rallying the population for effective and necessary health interventions.

The only drawback that can manifest itself is the difficulty in interacting due to communicative differences and subjective factors. At the same time, the employees involved in the program are competent and realise the importance of following ethical approaches when interacting with the target audience. Therefore, despite the potential obstacles and difficulties, the quality of medical care provided in accordance with the presented strategy is at a high level.

Racism and Colonisation in the Policy Context

Since the history of the relationship between the natives and colonists is ambiguous and complex, this aspect affects various areas of life, including health. Earlier, the social principles of organising the lifestyle of the Australian indigenous population depended in large part on those people who settled there later. The problems of slavery, open racism and other interpersonal issues led to a tough confrontation between Aboriginal and colonists. As a result, the values of the country, family, and other crucial aspects of life were in jeopardy. The policy under review is created to bring people together and help the residents of the country unite.

Aboriginal and Indigenous Family Structure

The family structure of Australian Aborigines is quite complex and differs from the Western model of kinship. According to Tam, Findlay and Kohen (2017, p. 245), relatives have distinctive statuses “depending on whether they are part of the matrilineal or patrilineal side”. Therefore, uniting individual families into communities cannot be seen in the context of standard principles. Tam, Findlay and Kohen (2017) refer to the nodal system in order to interpret the principles of kinship among natives and note that geographical movements play an essential role in the formation of family units. Language, cultural habits, and other aspects of life can differ significantly in indigenous communities.

As a result, when applying this model to the healthcare policy under consideration, one can assume that any interventions should take into account the special nature of the Aboriginal family organisation.

Value of the Country for the Indigenous Population

Since the indigenous people of Australia occupy mainly the northern regions of the continent, their assimilation can hardly be regarded as a common phenomenon. At the same time, as Lee (2016) argues, the country’s value to them is part of their culture, and territorial unity is superior to many other values. In addition, the author cites the term of dualism that is characteristic of Australian Aborigines in relation to culture and state (Lee 2016). Tribal migrations are subject to certain laws promoted in communities, and the regional aspect occupies a significant place in the formation of families and relations among indigenous people as a whole.

Accordingly, when implementing the policy addressing chronic diseases and other health problems among Aboriginal people, it is crucial to take into account their commitment to the homeland and native territories. Therefore, interventions should not force the indigenous population to abandon their place of residence, and it is important to justify the reasons for any hospitalisation in order not to create psychological discomfort for the target audience.

Racism: Definition

The stage of the colonisation of Australian territories was accompanied by a tough policy towards the indigenous population, and no ethical principles of interaction with the natives were supported. As a result, the issues of slavery and humiliation of Aboriginal people had long been significant problems on the continent until corresponding laws in defence of the indigenous were adopted. Nevertheless, racist manifestations may be found today because some people oppose the emergence of the natives in the government and their participation in coordinating national policies.

Paradies (2016, p. 84) defines Australian racism and notes that since the time of colonisation, it has been “oscillating between extermination and exploitation”. The solution to this ethical issue is of significant importance for the entire history of Australia, and the policy aimed at promoting health among the indigenous people is an essential decision in support of Aboriginal people’s independence and their right to choose the lifestyle they want.

Colonisation: Definition

Since the colonisation of Australia has become one of the main factors determining the subsequent development of different spheres on the continent, including political, economic and social fields, its impact on the indigenous population is significant. Griffiths et al. (2016, p. 9) define this stage and note that it is “the underlying factor influencing the social injustices that result in inequitable health for Indigenous people”.

The genocide policy promoted by colonists has shaped the main trends towards the Australian aborigines, and the violation of the moral and ethical standards of interaction with the natives has echoes in modern life. Nevertheless, the resolution of the issues of interaction through involving the indigenous population in public life can make it possible to smooth out the mistakes of past years. The state medical care program is relevant in the format of building mutual understanding, and the voluntary participation of Aboriginal people in this policy indicates the success of the project.

Recommendations for Learning and Professional Practice

Since the policy in question is directly related to healthcare, more attention should be paid to the issues of assessing Australian Aborigines’ way of life. Brown et al. (2015) state that the rates of mortality and morbidity among the indigenous population are extremely high. Consequently, one of the priority tasks is to reduce these indicators. Also, as a practical recommendation, the Northern Territory Department of Health (2012) notes the need for the standardisation of clinical work in relation to the target audience. Creating a special system of access to medical services and planning diagnostic procedures can make it possible to achieve higher recognition of the national healthcare policy by natives. Finally, relevant educational materials promoted among the indigenous population may allow providers to better understand the peculiarities of the Aboriginal lifestyle, which is an essential aspect of learning and professional development.

Conclusion

The policy aimed at promoting health among the people of Australia, including Aboriginals, is an important program in the context of improving people’s lifestyle and achieving mutual understanding broken during the period of colonisation. The recognition of this strategy by the natives is the indicator of stakeholders’ effective work in non-standard conditions. The goals that policymakers set for themselves include reducing the level of chronic diseases and indicators of mortality and morbidity in general. As recommendations, a more detailed study of the social determinants of health is proposed, as well as the promotion of educational materials among the target audience.

Reference List

Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council 2017, National strategic framework for chronic conditions. Web.

Brown, A, O’Shea, RL, Mott, K, McBride, KF, Lawson, T & Jennings, GL 2015, ‘A strategy for translating evidence into policy and practice to close the gap-developing essential service standards for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cardiovascular care’, Heart, Lung and Circulation, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 119-125.

Burgess, CP, Sinclair, G, Ramjan, M, Coffey, PJ, Connors, CM & Katekar, LV 2015, ‘Strengthening cardiovascular disease prevention in remote indigenous communities in Australia’s Northern Territory’, Heart, Lung and Circulation, vol. 24, no. 5, pp. 450-457.

Gibson, O, Lisy, K, Davy, C, Aromataris, E, Kite, E, Lockwood, C, Riitano, D, McBride, K & Brown, A 2015, ‘Enablers and barriers to the implementation of primary health care interventions for Indigenous people with chronic diseases: a systematic review’, Implementation Science, vol. 10, no. 1, p. 71.

Griffiths, K, Coleman, C, Lee, V & Madden, R 2016, ‘How colonisation determines social justice and Indigenous health – a review of the literature’, Journal of Population Research, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 9-30.

Lee, E 2016, ‘Protected areas, country and value: the Nature-Culture Tyranny of the IUCN’s protected area guidelines for Indigenous Australians’, Antipode, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 355-374.

Northern Territory Department of Health 2012, The Northern Territory Chronic Conditions Self Management Framework 2012-2020. Web.

Paradies, Y 2016, ‘Colonisation, racism and indigenous health’, Journal of Population Research, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 83-96.

Schmidt, B, Campbell, S & McDermott, R 2016, ‘Community health workers as chronic care coordinators: evaluation of an Australian Indigenous primary health care program’, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, vol. 40, no. S1, pp. S107-S114.

Tam, BY, Findlay, LC & Kohen, DE 2017, ‘Indigenous families: who do you call family?’, Journal of Family Studies, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 243-259.

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