Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin
Vol.2 No.1 January 2002 - March 2002: ISSN 1445-7253

An electronic journal from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Reports & publications

 

This section of the Bulletin identifies recent reports and publications, including book chapters. If you are aware of material that would be appropriate for inclusion in this section please contact us.

Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care (2001)
Government response to the House of Representatives Inquiry into Indigenous Health - 'Health is Life'.
Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

In September 1997, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs commenced its inquiry into the health status of Indigenous Australians, the outcome of which was a report titled 'Health is Life' released in June 2000. The 'Health is Life' report made a total of 36 recommendations related to the roles and functions of a range of Commonwealth Government agencies. The formal Government response to each of the recommendations was released in 2001. The Government either accepted, or accepted in principle, the majority of the 36 recommendations. The government response notes that a number of reforms and actions undertaken by government agencies are already contributing to efforts to address the issues raised in the 'Health is Life' report.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report is available on the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) website.

Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care (2001)
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coordinated care trials national evaluation summary.
Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

This summary report outlines the background, descriptions, experiences and outcomes of four coordinated care trials conducted in Aboriginal communities across Australia between 1997 and 1999. The trials were part of a government health service reform designed to improve the coordination of health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Evaluation was an integral component of the trials and was carried out at both a local and national level. The evaluation is documented in a main report (volume 1) and supporting supplementary papers (volume 2). This report provides a summary of both volumes.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this report should be directed to the Indigenous and Public Health Media Unit, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing ph: 02 6289 9256.

Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care (2001)
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coordinated care trials national evaluation report: volume 1 main report.
Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coordinated care trials were initiated in 1997. The broad objective of the trials was to improve the health status of targeted communities through better access to and more appropriate delivery of primary health care services. These outcomes were to be facilitated by establishing or improving local organisational ability and improving financial and administrative arrangements with the involvement of clients and communities.

This report documents the national evaluation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coordinator Care trials. Its purpose is to provide the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing with a final assessment of the trials in relation to the national evaluation framework. The assessment documented in this report:

  • outlines the details of each trial, including a description of funds pooling and financial arrangements
  • evaluates the set of trials in relation to national evaluation requirements; and
  • reflects on lessons learned from the conduct of the trials and the evaluation, and considers the policy implications

NB. This report is presented as a main report (volume 1) and supporting supplementary papers (volume 2) as well as a national evaluation summary. Separate abstracts are provided for each.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this report should be directed to the Indigenous and Public Health Media Unit, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing ph: (02) 6289 9256

Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care (2001)
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coordinated care trials national evaluation report: volume 2 supplementary papers 1-5.
Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

This volume contains the five supplementary papers developed over the course of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coordinated care trials. These papers provide supporting information on:

  • the national evaluation framework;
  • clinical audits;
  • the national database;
  • context of Aboriginal health policy; and
  • health systems analysis.

NB. This report is presented as a main report (volume 1) and supporting supplementary papers (volume 2) as well as a national evaluation summary. Separate abstracts are provided for each.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this report should be directed to the Indigenous and Public Health Media Unit, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing ph: (02) 6289 9256

Gruen R, Bailie R (2000)
Evaluation of the specialist outreach service in the Top End of the Northern Territory.
Darwin: Menzies School of Health Research.

In 1997 a Darwin-based staff of specialist Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology practitioners formed a Specialist Outreach Service (SOS). The SOS program was initiated to address problems of access to specialist health care for people from remote communities. The service's emphasis is on consultations in small, predominantly Aboriginal, communities. It is hoped that this program will help to break down the barriers associated with providing specialist care in remote communities.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This report may be downloaded from the Menzies School of Health Research site in PDF format . Enquiries about obtaining a hard-copy of this report should be directed to Menzies School of Health Research, PO Box 41096, Casuarina NT 0811; ph: 08 8922 8196; fax: 08 8927 5187.

Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (2001)
Specialist eye health guidelines for use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations: cataract, diabetic retinopathy and trachoma.
Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care

The Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH), a division of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, facilitated the development of these guidelines by the Centre for Eye Research Australia. The guidelines cover three eye health conditions common among Indigenous Australians: cataract, diabetic retinopathy and trachoma. The information covered is based on a review of existing literature and practice. The guidelines provide information about the treatment and management of these conditions in rural and remote communities, offering clinical and contextual advice about 'best practice' in eye health. Although primarily designed and produced for use by opthalmologists, the guidelines are a reference for all eye health professionals and allied health professionals working in primary health care settings.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This report is available free-of-charge from the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. Enquiries about obtaining printed copies should be directed to OATSIH ph: (02) 6289 5279. The report (HTML) is also available on the OATSIH website.

Swimming pools in remote Indigenous communities. Some basic information for planning a pool.
(2000) Canberra: Australian National University.

Collaboration between the Australian National University, the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment, and the Centre for Appropriate Technology Inc. has led to the compilation of the following reports in a single publication:

  • Audera C (1999) Swimming pools in Aboriginal communities: health related issues. Canberra: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Control, Australian National University.
  • Peart A, Szoeke C (1998) Recreational water use in remote Aboriginal communities. Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment.
  • Duddles J (1998) Draft report on the investigation of technical issues associated with the construction and management of public swimming pools in remote Aboriginal communities. Centre for Appropriate Technology.
  • Vivian N (1998) Assessing the feasibility of monitoring chemical and microbiological hazards in bodies of water used for recreation in remote Aboriginal communities. Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment.

Together, the four reports constitute a valuable resource for communities considering building a pool. The health benefits and risks associated with pools are outlined as are the technical aspects of installing and maintaining community developed, owned and operated swimming pools.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report is available online or may be obtained at no charge from the Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT), email: catcrl@ozemail.com.au

 
 
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