A pathway to holistic health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Transcription

1 Southern Cross University School of Education 2001 A pathway to holistic health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Anthony Franks Donna Smith-Lloyd Northern Rivers Area Health Service Sallie Newell Southern Cross University Publication details Franks, A, Smith-Lloyd, D & Newell, S 2001, 'A pathway to holistic health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people', paper presented to 13th Australian Health Promotion National Conference, Gold Coast, Qld. epublications@scu is an electronic repository administered by Southern Cross University Library. Its goal is to capture and preserve the intellectual output of Southern Cross University authors and researchers, and to increase visibility and impact through open access to researchers around the world. For further information please contact epubs@scu.edu.au.

2 A Pathway to Holistic Health for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People Anthony Franks Donna Smith-Lloyd, Sallie Newell, and Uta Dietrich Health Promotion Unit Northern Rivers Area Health Service Lismore NSW 13th Australian Health Promotion National Conference (June 2001)

3 Bundjalung Country - Is home to 13 different tribes

4 History Self-Determination Project in partnership with other service providers.

5 SELF DETERMINATION Specific Issue Identified Mapped out the functions of Government and Non-Government organisations at National, State and Local levels. Conducted Literature Review Aboriginal issues/projects/programs Collected national, state and local demographic, mortality and morbidity data on Aboriginal people History and Culture, Self determination, Mental Illness, Health status, Education, Self-esteem issues, Family Violence, Drugs & Alcohol, Violence, Social and community support, Dietary and physical activity behaviours. Issues identified from consultations Family Violence, Literacy and numeracy, Drugs and Alcohol, Parents to value education, Children- transition, Support/intervention programs for parents. Review of Indigenous projects/programs at International, national, state and local level Consultations to determine issues of concern with: - Community members, Health-workers, Government Departments, Local Aboriginal Preschools.

6 Early on in the project Review the overall complex organisational context of Aboriginal Health.

7 Diagramatic overview of interaction between Commonwealth, State and Northern Rivers Departments/Organisations Commonwealth Level OATSIH Aboriginal ATSIC FaCS Affairs State Level NSW HEALTH Directions Paper March 2000 Aboriginal Affairs ATSIC Department of Community Services DoCS Aboriginal Health Branch NSW Aboriginal Health Strategic Plan NSW Aboriginal Family Health Strategy Health Promotion Branch Strategic Plan Northern Rivers Area Health Service Northern Rivers Level ATSIC Many Rivers Regional Council Lismore DoCS Offices DPECS Aboriginal Health Council. Aboriginal Health Area Co-ordinator. Tweed Heads Health Outcomes Council. Aboriginal Health Strategic Plan Division of Population Health. Health Promotion/Improvement. Rekindling the Spirit Program Malanee Bugilmah I.F.B.S. - Casino Dharah Gibinj Casino. Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) Bulgarr Ngaru Grafton. The following are registered with the ATSIC Many Rivers Regional Council 30 ATSI Organisations 13 ATSI Land Councils 4 CDEP Organisations Wula Wula Nga Shared Vision Direct affiliation Indirect affiliation Families First

8 Aboriginal people residing in the NRA Indigenous Data Profile of the Many Rivers ATSIC Region Report in 1998 > 65 Yrs Non/Aboriginal Aboriginal < 15 Yrs Post school Ed Completed Y12 Unemployment Renting Owning/Home 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

9 Aboriginal Children Aboriginal children are 2 to 8 times more likely to suffer from abuse and neglect, 4 times more likely to be under welfare protection 6 times more likely to be on fostering placements than non-aboriginal children.

10 Indigenous Project/Programs Review of Indigenous Project/Programs at International, National, State and Local level.

11 Literature Review History and Culture. Self determination. Mental illness. Education. Self-esteem issues. Family violence. Alcohol & other drugs. Violence. Social & community support. Dietary & physical activity behaviours.

12 Consultations To determine issues of concern with:- Community members, Health workers, Government departments, Local Aboriginal Preschool.

13 Issues identified Issues identified from both Literature review and Consultations:- Family Violence, Literacy and Numeracy, Alcohol & other drugs, Parents to value education, Children transition, Support/intervention programs for parents.

14 Issue Children and Parents Existing programs. Coraki/Box Ridge Transition Program. Better Education. Rekindling The Spirit. An Aboriginal Fathers Parenting Program. Breaking the cycle. Family Violence, Alcohol & Other Drugs Abuse, Unemployment,

15 Conclusion To understand Aboriginal health it is paramount that service providers acknowledge the factors that have had an impact on Aboriginal communities and develop an understanding of Aboriginal culture. Prior to European arrival, Aboriginal people lived an active lifestyle as hunters and gatherers, which promoted good health. There is little evidence to suggest widespread illness or disease amongst Aboriginal people until colonisation. In order to comprehend Aboriginal poor health status, acknowledgment of the impact of colonisation must first take place.

16 Pathway to Holistic Health Anthony Franks Phone: Aboriginal Health Promotion Officer Health Promotion Unit Northern Rivers Area Health Service PO Box 489 Lismore NSW 2480