health exam yr 10 - indigenous health

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health and wellbeing definition

• view it in a holistic manner

• health refers to the physical well being of the person as well as the social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing of the community

ATSI perspective on health

• In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, social and emotional health and wellbeing recognises the importance of connection to land, culture, spirituality, ancestry, family and community. 

• Having a strong connection to these things is essential for Indigenous Australians to lead successful and fulfilling lives.

bush medicine

• traditional healing practice that has been used for thousands of yrs

• involves using natural materials found in the bush such as plants, animals products, and minerals to treat a range of physical and spiritual ailments

• Bush medicine is based on the belief that everything in the environment is interconnected, and that health is achieved through balance and harmony with the natural world.

common uses of bush medicine

• treating skin conditions

• respiratory problems

• and digestive issues. 

It is also used to promote spiritual and emotional wellbeing, and to address issues related to mental health.

social determinants of health

non-medical factors that influence health outcomes → conditions in which people are born, grow, live, and age

social determinants of health → social

relationships, social networks, systemic structures that surround and individual:

• Systemic racism: Discriminatory biases in healthcare delivery or institutional resource allocation.

• Social isolation: Lack of a support network, especially damaging for the elderly or vulnerable youth.

• Cultural safety: Whether a healthcare space respects and understands First Nations or minority cultures.

social determinants of health → economical

A person’s financial resources and their ability to afford basic human needs.

• Insecure income: Unstable employment, low wages, or sudden job loss.

• Food insecurity: Inability to afford nutritious, fresh food, leading to "food deserts."

• Housing instability: High rent burdens, threat of eviction, or homelessness.

• Medical debt: Skipping prescriptions, therapy, or dental care due to out-of-pocket costs.

social determinants of health → environmental

The physical surroundings where a person lives, works, and plays 

• Overcrowded housing: Living spaces that facilitate the rapid spread of infectious diseases.

• Sanitation infrastructure: Access to clean, drinkable tap water and functioning toilets.

• Geographic isolation: Long travel distances to hospitals, pharmacies, or emergency care

barriers to health

• Overcrowded Housing: How does sharing a room with multiple people impact the transmission of an airborne throat bacteria or highly contagious skin sores?

• Geographic Isolation: If the nearest hospital is a three-hour drive away on unsealed roads, what happens when a child gets a sore throat?

• Access to Infrastructure: How do broken taps, lack of hot water, or poor laundry facilities affect basic hygiene needed to stop bacterial infections?

• Structural/Systemic Barriers: How do language barriers, lack of culturally safe clinics, or past negative experiences with authority keep families from seeking early medical help?

morbidity

ill health in an individual and levels of ill health within a population [often expressed through incidence, prevalence]

incidence

the number of new cases of a disease/ condition in a population during a given period

prevalence

number or proportion of cases of a particular disease or condition present in a population at a given time

intergenerational trauma

Intergenerational trauma is when the original traumatic experience is transferred from parents to children, and then grandchildren and so on. 

It is a cycle of trauma, where the impact is passed from one generation to the next

impacts of intergenerational trauma

• Stress and anxiety 

• Disconnection from families and culture 

• Loss of trust 

• Developmental challenges for children dealing with high levels of stress at a young age 

• Difficulties with parenting and family functioning 

• Increased physical and mental ill health

impacts of history on health → trauma

• have experienced a lot of trauma→ historical and ongoing

  • dispossession

  • forced removal of children from families

  • systemic oppression

may lead to

• Increased incidence of anxiety. 

• Increased morbidity with chronic diseases, like Type 2 diabetes due to lack of trust in Western health care systems.

impacts of history on health → disruption of societies and cultures

• due to dispossession → impacted ability to maintain traditional lifestyles, access health food sources and maintain traditional bush medicine practices which are vital part of culture and healthing an wellbeing

Possible impacts on health status: 

• Increased morbidity associated with throat infections, burns and other diseases/injuries 

• Increased prevalence of anxiety due to disconnect with cultural practices

impacts of history on health → stigma and discrimination

Indigenous Australians have experienced significant historical and ongoing discrimination, which can lead to mistrust of mainstream healthcare providers. This can make it difficult for Indigenous Australians to be willing to access healthcare services and can result in poorer health outcomes.

Possible impacts on health status: 

• Decreased life expectancy if health treatment is not sought for serious conditions such as Rheumatic Heart Disease due to lack of trust in mainstream healthcare providers

Socioeconomic status

income + occupation + education

→ education leads to higher occupation status which can lead to higher income

→ education means higher level of health literacy

health literacy

 relates to how people access, understand and use health information and services in ways that promote and maintain health and wellbeing. A high level of health literacy is strongly linked to improved health outcomes

income

impacts person’s ability to access many resources required for good health and wellbeing → including adequate housing, nutritious food, healthcare, recreation and transport

link to socioeconomic status → high eco status

• People with higher socioeconomic status and thus high levels of education are less likely to smoke cigarettes. This might mean that they have lower levels of morbidity associated with lung cancer. 

link to socioeconomic status → low eco status

• People with lower socioeconomic status, may be less likely to afford access to healthy, nutritious foods. This might mean they eat more fast foods which are higher in unsaturated fats, which may increase prevalence of obesity. 

social exclusion

refers to segregation that ppl experience if they are not adequately participating in the society in which they live.

discrimination and racism → often associated with ill health and lower health status for ATSI ppls in particular:

• mental health disorders [like anxiety]

• risky health behaviours such as drug and alcohol use

eg. link to health status of social exclusions

• Due to historic systemic discrimination, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples may experience more stress and anxiety when interacting with non-Indigenous Australians. This may increase incidence of anxiety. 

eg. link to health status of social exclusions

• Isolation, as a result of social exclusion, may mean people use unproductive coping strategies such as drinking high levels of alcohol. If they choose to drive a car whilst heavily intoxicated, this may place them at greater risk of road trauma injuries, which may increase morbidity. 

access to healthcare

• An environment with limited access to health promoting services such as healthcare (eg. GPs and hospitals) reduces the ability of people to have conditions diagnosed and treated/managed. 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have lower levels of access to, and use of, health services and resources such as GPs, hospitals and pharmacies due to geographical location.

housing

A lack of adequate housing might include 

• Ventilation and hygiene: Housing which is damp and has poor ventilation, can promote the growth of mould. This increases incidence of respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and asthma

• Design and safety: Housing that is not adequately maintained, including balconies, stairs and electrical wiring, increases the risk of falls and thus prevalence of injuries

• Overcrowding increases the risk of poor sanitation due to added strain on bathroom, kitchen and laundry facilities, increasing the risk of morbidity associated with infectious diseases such as diarrhoea and gastroenteritis