Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin
Vol.2 No.2 April 2002 - June 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.

Al-Yaman F, Bryant M, Sargeant H (2002)
Australia's children: their health and wellbeing 2002.
Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

This report is the second national report on the health and wellbeing of children in Australia. It brings together data from a wide variety of sources to provide comprehensive information on the current and long-term status of children's health, and on the risk and protective factors influencing their health and wellbeing. This report builds on the previous report by examining in more detail the health status of Indigenous children and children living in metropolitan, rural and remote areas.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

To download the report (PDF) visit the AIHW website. A hard copy may be purchased through the AIHW Publications Catalogue. Enquiries about obtaining media copies of the report sould be directed to: the Publications Officer on (02) 6244 1032. Other enquiries should be directed to: Fadwa Al-Yaman, AIHW on (02) 6244 1146.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2002)
Child protection Australia 2000-01.
Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

'Child Protection Australia 2000-01 provides comprehensive information on children who come into contact with State and Territory community service departments for protective reasons'. This annual report is based upon three national child protection data collections maintained by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Detailed information on the characteristics of children in the child protection system is presented, including their Indigenous status. The majority of data in this report covers the 2000-2001 financial year, though information on trends in child protection is also included.

The main findings include:

  • an increase in the number of child protection notifications over the past five years;
  • a decrease in the number of substantiations, primarily due to changes in policies and practices;
  • a continuing upward trend in numbers of children on care and protection orders and the numbers in out-of-home care;
  • overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child protection system

Comparisons between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children indicate that Indigenous children are seven times more likely to be the subjects of substantiations, and six times more likely to be on care and protection orders and in out-of-home care.

A copy of the report may be downloaded from the AIHW website or purchased through the AIHW Publications Catalogue. For media copies of the report contact the AIHW Publications Officer: (02) 6244 1032.

Brown A, Brands J, White E, et al. (2002)
Research partnerships: yarning about research with Indigenous peoples [workshop report 1]
Casuarina: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health.

This report describes a 2 day workshop held in Darwin in April 2001. The impetus for the workshop stemmed from a desire to find appropriate ways of disseminating research findings in Indigenous communities. The workshop focused on the critical issues of communication and use of language in the research process. Questions posed to participants prior to the workshop reflect the workshop focus. Participants were asked to identify:

  • the factors most likely to influence efforts to improve Indigenous health outcomes through research;
  • the 'ideal' (best practice) approach to communicating with Indigenous communities about research;
  • the barriers to successful communication about research; and
  • the keys to successful communication about research.

The workshop was sponsored by the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health (CRCATH). Its findings will inform the CRCATH 'Links' Project, a three year research project to explore management models and systems that facilitate successful research partnerships. The primary objective of the 'Links' Project is to encourage research that is health outcomes oriented and allows for contribution and control by Indigenous Australians.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this report should be directed to the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Tropical Health at PO Box 41096, Casuarina NT 0811, ph: 08 8922 8451, fax: 08 8927 5187.

Brown S (2001)
Planning care effectively: enhanced primary care in Aboriginal Medical Services
Northern Territory: General Practice Divisions.

In November 1999 the Enhanced Primary Care MBS (medical benefit scheme) items were introduced to provide a more multidisciplinary approach to care for the elderly and people with a chronic illness and complex needs. In May 2000 a General Practitioner Education Support and Community Linkages Program was established and implemented nationally through state-based organisations and the Divisions of General Practice. This report discusses the Enhanced Primary Care program and presents selected successes that have been achieved in Aboriginal Medical Services in the Northern Territory.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This report is available in full from the General Practice Divisions Northern Territory website.

Cawte J (2001)
Healers of Arnhem Land
Sydney: University of New South Wales.

'John Cawte is well known internationally as a pioneer in the study of variations in psychiatric phenomena according to culture'. Cawte's in-depth knowledge and experience in medicine, psychiatry, anthropology and history permit him an unusual biopsychosocial perspective, which imbues this collection of 'stories'.

These 'stories' focus upon the Yolngu of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory and highlight fundamental issues in traditional healing. They also highlight the adversities experienced by the Yolngu people.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this book should be directed to your local book shop. Alternatively, you may wish to contact the publisher: J.B. Books Pty Ltd, PO Box 118, Marleston South Australia 5033, Australia.

Ewald D, Boughton B (2002)
Maternal education and child health: an exploratory investigation in a central Australian Aboriginal community.
Casuarina: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health.

'International research has established that education, and particularly maternal education, is a strong determinant of child health and survival.' This paper explores the relationship between 'carer-mothers' education and child health within the Indigenous population, combining qualitative action research and quantitative methods.

The findings reveal that within Australia the relationship between education and child health is not as straightforward as the international literature would suggest. A positive trend was found between employment and child health but not education. Lessons learned are discussed and aspects for future research are highlighted.

This publication is part of an occasional paper series presented by the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The paper (PDF - 641KB) may be downloaded from the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health (CRCATH) website. Enquiries about obtaining a hard copy of the report should be directed to: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, NT 0811; ph: 08 8922 8451; fax: 08 8927 5187; website: www.crcah.org.au.

Folds R (2001)
Crossed purposes: the Pintupi and Australia's Indigenous policy
Sydney: University of New South Wales.

This book offers new insights into the often posed question 'What happens to well-intentioned programs of social justice and equality for Indigenous Australians when they reach their intended beneficiaries?'. Policy makers are consistently confronted with failure to achieve significant equality in health, housing and education. The author examines these dilemmas through 'an examination of the relationship between the Australian state and the Pintupi people of Australia's western deserts'.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this book should be directed to your local book shop. Alternatively, you may wish to contact the publisher: University of New South Wales Press Ltd, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.

An online UNSW catalogue is available on the UNSW website.

Gray D, Saggers S, Atkinson D, Carter M, Loxley W, Hayward D (2001)
The harm reduction needs of Aboriginal people who inject drugs
Perth: National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology.

Until recently, little has been known about injecting drug use among Aboriginal people in Western Australia. This report details a study by the National Drug Research Institute, the objective of which was to estimate the extent of drug use and determine the needs for harm reduction services in the Indigenous community. Representatives from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal agencies were asked questions about Aboriginal injecting drug use and services in their communities. Aboriginal people who inject drugs were interviewed about their drug use and views on services. The study also examined statistics on drug use and harmful outcomes associated with drug use in communities. It described: patterns of use; harmful outcomes related to drug use (including drug users' perspectives); services available; and barriers to using services.

The study recommended the development of a comprehensive strategy by representatives from: Aboriginal alcohol and other drug agencies; Western Australian Aboriginal community controlled health organisations; the Department of Health; the Western Australian Drug Abuse Strategy Office; the Department of Justice; the Department of Indigenous Affairs; the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing's Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health; and users. The strategy should include components such as supply reduction; demand reduction (including attention to underlying social determinants); harm reduction; community education and support; and program and staff development. Services should be based on models of best practice and include Aboriginal community controlled organisations and mainstream agencies.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The Community report (PDF - 112KB) has been made available here with the kind permission of the National Drug Research Institute.

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of the full report should be directed to: the Administrative Assistant, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845, ph: (08) 9426 4222, fax: (08) 9486 9477, email: enquiries@ndri.cutin.edu.au, web: http://www.ndri.curtin.edu.au

Hampton C, Fallow C (2001)
Evaluation of CARPA Standard Treatment Manual (3rd edition) and GSAT Adult Chronic Disease Management Guidelines
Alice Springs: Central Australian Rural Practitioners Association.

In 2001, the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health and the Territory Health Services (THS) funded the evaluation of the Central Australian Rural Practitioners Association Standard Treatment Manual - (CARPA STM) and the THS's Remote Area Adult Chronic Disease Management Guidelines. This report documents the methodology and findings of the evaluation. The evaluation was conducted to assess users' perceptions of the acceptability and accessibility of the two manuals.

The CARPA STM is a comprehensive treatment manual for the management of common health problems in the Northern Territory. Evaluation results for the CARPA STM were positive, with a range of health professionals expressing support and acceptance for the design and content of the manual. Findings regarding the GSAT Adult Chronic Disease Management Guidelines were more complex and less positive. The resulting information is being used to inform production of the fourth edition of the CARPA STM.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this evaluation should be directed to: Central Australian Rural Practitioners Association, PO Box 8143, Alice Springs NT 0871.

Ivers R (2001)
Indigenous Australians and tobacco: a literature review.
Casuarina: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health.

This comprehensive literature review on tobacco use within the Indigenous population of Australia was produced as part of the author's PhD. The report is presented in two sections. The first part explores the dimensions of smoking among Indigenous Australians, including patterns, prevalence, causes and health effects. The second section examines the issues involved in quitting smoking, including tobacco programs, intervention strategies, and policy and legislation.

Tobacco use is a major cause of premature mortality and morbidity in the Indigenous people of Australia and it is the author's hope that the review '...will be used to plan future program delivery, research and evaluation in the area of tobacco control for Indigenous people.'
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 522KB) may be downloaded from the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health (CRCATH) website. To purchase a hard copy of the report download and fax the order form (WORD DOC - 169KB) to CRCATH on 08 8927 5187. Other enquiries about the report should be directed to the author: Rowena Ivers, Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, NT 0811; ph: 08 8922 7862 or 08 8922 7861; fax: 08 8927 5187; website: www.crcah.org.au; email: rowena@menzies.edu.au

Tatz C (2001)
Aboriginal suicide is different: a portrait of life and self-destruction.
Canberra: Aboriginal Studies Press.

This book is based upon a report of a three year field study on Aboriginal youth suicide, funded by the Criminology Research Council. The original report has been revised, updated and expanded to produce this work for the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Report Series.

The author has adopted an historical and anthropological approach to explore suicide in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and New Zealand. His objective is to move beyond statistics to 'glimpse the soul of the suicide rather than merely his or her contribution to our national statistics'.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The text of the original report can be found on the Australian Institute of Criminology website.

Trewin D (2002)
Housing and infrastructure in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Australia 2001.
Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

This Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication, released on 6 May 2002, provides a summary of results from the 2001 Community Housing and Infrastructure Needs Survey (CHINS).

The 2001 CHINS was funded by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and updates information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing organisations and discrete communities collected in the 1999 CHINS. Included in the report are details regarding housing stock, dwelling management, selected income and expenditure arrangements, and information on the status of housing, infrastructure, education and health.

The CHINS aims to provide a 'basis for the design of future policies and the targeting of programs to areas of identified need'.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For details on how to download (for Ausstats subscribers only) or purchase this publication, visit the ABS website.

http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/F33B3051615BFC71CA2568CE0006A2E5
 
   © Copyright 2001 - Disclaimer & privacy - Webmaster

Last updated: 29 January, 2003