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Introduction
In any society one of the most important aspects is to understand the various aspects that characterize the day to day activities of the local Australian community members. For a health professional, it is important to understand all the pertinent factors that such as culture and issues of diversity that may have an effect on the health of their health (Kruske, Kildea & Barclay, 2006).
This case will include an analysis of the factors that affect the health of the members of the Aboriginal Australian community members in relation to their health; this will include the historical factors that impact on the health of the indigenous Australians, the experience of the indigenous Australians when they use health services, their health needs as well as the difference and similarities between the health needs of the Indigenous Australians and the Anglo-Australians.
Historical factors that have impacted on the health of Indigenous peoples
There are many factors that have over time affected the lives of the indigenous people and ultimately affect their day to day activities and most importantly, their health. Some of the practices that are associated with the deeply rooted cultural practices of the Aboriginal people in Australia act as a barrier in the access of health services for these people (Raphael, 2008).
The indigenous Australians have a very high regard for their culture and they still maintain their territory, religion, laws, and language as part of their daily practices and this has been a major factor in their health status (Anderson et al., 2006). As a health practitioner, it is important to understand these factors in order to offer the best possible health services to a group of people that still holds onto their cultural practices and diversity.
Throughout history, the Indigenous Australian communities have suffered from discrimination and exploitation in offering of health services; this can be attributed to the socio-economic and cultural factors. The early immigrants into the indigenous Australian communities consisted of European settlers which led to the spread of infectious diseases such as smallpox, tuberculosis, venereal diseases and whooping diseases (Hill, Barker & Vos, 2007).
This has led to higher incidences of maternal mortality and child mortality rates; the indigenous people are vulnerable to health hazards that are likely to result in injuries, misuse of alcohol and drugs, cancer, cases of suicide and diseases such as diabetes and depression (Altman, 2003).
The indigenous aboriginal people also suffered the effects of being dislocated from their land which has led to problems in housing; their average numbers per household is greater than that of the other communities and as a result of the reduced space that is available for the large number of people the likelihood of the spread of diseases and infections is increased (Hill, Barker & Vos, 2007).
It is clear that historically, the health needs of the Aboriginal Australians have been ignored which has led to a serious situation that requires considerable funds and time in order to reach a solution.
Health needs of Indigenous Australians
It is important to note that the indigenous Australians such as the Aboriginal Australians exhibit health needs that call for special attention in order to improve their overall health status. Recognizant of the geographical location in which these people live in it is important to develop a system for the delivery of health services that will cover all the health needs of these people.
These people present a serious challenge that needs to be addressed in order to change their attitudes towards the need to seek for medical services. There is a need to increase their access to quality health care services and enhance their understanding on the need to seek these services (Narayan, 2002).
Due to the high maternity and infant mortality rates, a program is needed to ensure that the members of these communities can be able to have access to information and services that will reduce the mortality rates. The standards of hygiene need to be carefully considered and enhanced to ensure that the spread of the infectious diseases can be checked and the general health of the population is improved.
The health needs of the indigenous Australians can be addressed adequately by ensuring that there is an equal access to health services among all people. The attitude of these people needs to be changed so that they can be able to recognize the need for seeking health care services (Raphael, 2008).
Similarities and differences between the needs of Indigenous Australians and those of Anglo Australian heritage
The issue of the health needs of the indigenous Aboriginal Australians can be understood more clearly by considering the differences and similarities if any between their health needs and those of another group such as the Anglo-Australians. Perhaps that most striking factor that is evident here is the disparity in the amount of money that is needed to provide quality health care to these two groups.
Due to the level to which the health of the Indigenous Australians had deteriorated, more investment is required to reduce the spread of the infectious diseases and the maternal and infant mortality rates (Fiscella, 2004).
The other difference is in the life expectancy; due to the low life expectancy among the indigenous Australians, there is a need to invest more in the health care for the indigenous Australians so as to increase their life expectancy.
The level of awareness on the need to seek for health care services is another major difference in the health needs between these two groups, whereas the Anglo-Australians have a positive attitude and clearly understand the need to seek quality health care services, more sensitization is still required to increase the levels of awareness and improve the attitude of the indigenous Australians towards seeking health care services (Altman, 2003).
The indigenous Australians need to have access to quality housing and sanitation systems in order to reduce the occurrence of infectious diseases. This is not the case for the Anglo-Australians who already have access to these amenities; ultimately the only similarity in their need is that both groups of people need access to equal and quality health care services (Anderson et al., 2006).
Conclusion
It is very important as a health practitioner, it is very important to understand all these factors so as to ensure that there is an increase in access to health services amongst the indigenous communities and that ultimately, their health needs can be addressed effectively. The ultimate goal for such a community is to achieve equity and equality in the provision of health care services in line with the other larger communities in Australia.
References
Altman, J. (2003). The Economic and Social Context of Indigenous Health, in Neil Thomson: The Health of Indigenous Australians. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Anderson, I. Crengle, S. Leialoha Kamaka, M. Chen, T. Palafox, N. Jackson-Pulver, L. (2006). Indigenous health in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific. The Lancet, 367(9524): 1775-1785.
Fiscella, K. (2004). Racial Disparity in Infant and Maternal Mortality: Confluence of Infection, and Micro vascular Dysfunction. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 8(2): 45-54.
Hill, K., Barker, B. & Vos, T. (2007). Excess Indigenous mortality: are Indigenous Australians more severely disadvantaged than other Indigenous populations? International Journal of Epidemiology. 36(3): 580-589
Kruske, S., Kildea, S. & Barclay, L. (2006). Cultural safety and maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians . Women and Birth, 19 (3): 73- 77.
Narayan, M. (2002). Six Steps Towards Cultural Competence: A Clinicians Guide . Home Health Care Management & Practice. 14 (5): 378-386 (9).
Raphael, D. (2008). Introduction to the Social Determinants of Health. In D. Raphael, D. (Ed.), Social Determinants of Health: Canadian Perspectives (2nd ed.). (pp. 5- 18) Toronto: Canadian Scholars Press.
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