Australian Indigenous

• Australian health trends 2001 added 10 October 2001
• Better health care added 6 December 2001
• Central Australian regional substance misuse strategic plan added 18 October 2001
• Indigenous health & 'Western research' added 1 October 2001
• Recommendations for clinical care guidelines on the management of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations added 5 November 2001
• Sport and recreation for Indigenous youth in the Northern Territory: scoping research priorities for health and social outcomes added 26 October 2001
• Systematic review of existing evidence and primary care guidelines on the management of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations added19 November 2001
• The management of middle ear infection in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations added 18 December 2001

Cairnduff S (2001)
Sport and recreation for Indigenous youth in the Northern Territory: scoping research priorities for health and social outcomes.
Darwin: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health and Australian Sports Commission.

This report is a joint initiative of the Indigenous Sport Unit, Australian Sports Commission (ASC), and the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health (CRCATH). It identifies health and social outcomes research priorities in the Indigenous sport and recreation sector. The report reviews information in the following areas:

• Clinical literature
• History of Indigenous elite athletes in Australia
• Diversionary strategies for antisocial behaviour and self-harm
• Community development literature
• Evaluations of sport and recreation programs

The report identifies a number of areas for future research.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

To obtain a copy of this report contact the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Tropical Health at PO Box 41096, Casuarina NT 0811, ph: 08 89228451, fax: 08 8927 5187.

Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care (2001)
Better health care.
Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

This report aims to draw together information on the successful delivery of primary health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

A comprehensive approach within the Australian health system, utilising partnerships and involving Indigenous people, has been shown to be effective. Services that are socially and culturally acceptable improve access and play a significant role in improving health outcomes. Overviews of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and case study examples provide evidence that progress is being made.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract.

To obtain a copy of this report (PDF - 1.05MB - large file warning!)

contact the Health Strategies Section of the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged care, ph: 02 6289 5280, fax: 02 6289 1408, or available on the OATSIH website.

Couzos S, Metcalf S, Murray RB (2001)
Systematic review of existing evidence and primary care guidelines on the management of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

This comprehensive review was initiated under the auspices of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. It addresses the primary health care prevention, diagnosis and management of otitis media in Aboriginal populations. It is derived from both data specific to Aboriginal populations and data from other sources that can be generalised to the Aboriginal population. The review draws on evidence from existing systematic reviews, primary research studies, clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements. It employs a qualitative but systematic approach in which evidence related to therapeutic approaches is graded according to the hierarchy of evidence. Summary data and guideline recommendations are tabulated to aid clinical decision making and facilitate comparative analysis.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

To obtain a copy of this report (HTML) contact the Health Strategies Section of the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged care, ph: 02 6289 5280, fax: 02 6289 1408.

de Looper M, Bhatia K (2001)
Australian health trends 2001.
Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

This report builds upon the 1995 edition, providing more recent trend information on various aspects of the health of Australians. Using time-series information for more than 80 indicators, it gives a comprehensive overview of health trends and offers an opportunity to predict future health scenarios.

Chapter 4 looks at the health of subpopulations. The first section of the chapter addresses the health of Indigenous Australians and trends in the following demographic and health indicators are outlined:

• Population size
• Death rates for all causes
• Infant mortality rate
• Death rate for cardiovascular disease

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report is available on the AIHW Internet site.

Durnan B (2001)
Central Australian regional substance misuse strategic plan.
Alice Springs: Central Australian Regional Indigenous Health Planning Committee (CARIHPC).

The Substance Misuse Working Group was established in 1998 to oversee the development of 'an integrated regional strategic plan that is achievable and based on sound community development principles'. The strategic plan, as endorsed by the partners of the Central Australian Regional Indigenous Heath Planning Committee in July 2001, is documented in this report. The plan concentrates on the major substance misuse issues that exist in Central Australia: alcohol and inhalants. It includes a set of policy guidelines that serve as a tool for implementation of the plan, and a framework to evaluate progress.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries regarding how to obtain a copy of this report should be directed to the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, ph: 08 8953 2727.

Humphery K (2000)
Indigenous health & 'Western research'.
Melbourne: VicHealth Koori Health Reasearch and Community Development Unit.

This is the second discussion paper produced by the VicHealth Koori Health Research and Community Development Unit. It summarises developments and debate surrounding the way Australian Indigenous health research has been conducted and used over the last twenty years. The paper highlights the relatively unique transformations that have taken place within the field of Indigenous health research, particularly in terms of Indigenous participation. However, it questions the extent of non-Indigenous involvement in the transformation process. The author argues that shifts in institutional arrangements and local research practices will be necessary to more fully integrate Indigenous health research within the mainstream research environment.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

To obtain a copy of this report contact VicHealth Koori Health Reasearch and Community Development Unit, Centre for the Study of Health & Society, University of Melbourne Vic 3010, ph: 03 8344 0813, fax: 03 8344 0824, email: koori@cshs.unimelb.edu.au.

Menzies School of Health Research (2001)
Recommendations for clinical care guidelines on the management of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

Developed by the Menzies School of Health Research in collaboration with the OATSIH Otitis Media Technical Advisory Group, these recommendations are derived from the Systematic review of existing evidence and primary care guidelines on the management of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations prepared by Couzos, Metcalf and Murray (2001). The recommendations are intended to assist the development of clinical guidelines that are applicable to specific local conditions. The recommendations are derived from two main information sources: 'the best available primary research on otitis media identified by a hierarchical search strategy; and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines'. They are grouped according to their relevance to: prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, management, or practical considerations in health care delivery.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

To obtain a copy of this report contact the Health Strategies Section of the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged care, ph: 02 6289 5280, fax: 02 6289 1408.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (2001)
The management of middle ear infection in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

This plain language summary of the Systematic review of existing evidence and primary care guidelines on the management of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations has been prepared by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). The summary outlines in clear concise language the extent of middle ear disease in the Aboriginal population and the factors that contribute to its occurrence. The diagnosis of middle ear disease and the efficacy of primary and secondary preventive measures are considered. The discussion of primary prevention interventions looks at: changing risk factors, early treatment with antibiotics, and immunisation. Medical treatments and surgical interventions are outlined in the section on secondary prevention measures.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

To obtain a copy of this report contact the Health Strategies Section of the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged care, ph: 02 6289 5280, fax: 02 6289 1408.

Last updated: 30 August, 2005