Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin
Vol.2 No.3 July 2002 - September 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.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2002)
Population distribution, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, 2001
Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics

This publication uses the results of the 2001 Census of Population and Housing to describe the geographic distribution of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of Australia. 'Census counts are presented both on the basis of where the Indigenous population usually lives as well as where they were counted on Census night'. Counts of the Indigenous Australian population for small areas and ATSIC regions, and at the State, Territory and National level are provided. Also included are the estimated resident Indigenous population for Australia and each State and Territory, and a discussion on the accuracy of the Census figures. Data from the 1996 Census are included for comparison.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The entire publication is available for purchase and provided in PDF format to download (for Ausstats subscribers only) on the ABS website. Or alternately, the Main features from the publication and various other related links are free of charge and provided in text format on the ABS website.

For further information on the 2001 Census of Population and Housing see Current topics in the current (July-September 2002) edition of the HealthBulletin.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2002)
Australia's health 2002.
Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

This two-yearly report card on the nation's health is AIHW's eighth biennial report on the health status of the Australian population. It provides authoritative information on patterns of health and illness, determinants of health, the supply and use of health services, and health service costs and performance. The report indicates that, by world standards, Australians are living long lives, health risks are being actively tackled, and access to high quality health services is very good and generally improving. However, despite health gains for Australians in general, the health status of the Indigenous population remains poor. Health expenditure in this area has risen, but large service gaps remain.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

To enable wider distribution of information on the health of Indigenous Australians, the AIHW has kindly given the HealthInfoNet permission to reproduce the sub-section on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

The full report is available in Government Info Shops and through the Australian Bureau of Statistics or may be downloaded from the AIHW website:

View media release (AIHW 27 June 2002)
View Australia's health 2002 highlights (PDF)
View full report

Australian National Council on Drugs (2002)
ANCD report into Cape York Indigenous issues.
Canberra: Australian National Council on Drugs

This report is based upon a visit to the Cape York region by members of the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD). It documents their observations on alcohol, drug and other Indigenous issues during their visit. Part one of the document provides contextual information regarding the nature and dimensions of alcohol and drug use among Indigenous Australians, as well as the availability of specific drug and alcohol services. The second part of the document describes alcohol and other drug problems in Cape York, and the third section presents a list of observations and recommendations regarding substance use issues in this region. The final section of the report examines responses to the Cape York Justice Study, which was released by Justice Fitzgerald on behalf of the Queensland State Government late last year. It is hoped that the collective observations and experiences of ANCD members during the visit may be used to assist the Queensland Government, and others in the community, to address the alcohol and drug issues facing the Cape York region.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This report may be downloaded (PDF - 264KB) from the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) website. Other enquires should be directed to: the Australian National Council on Drugs, PO Box 1552, Canberra ACT 2601, email ancd@ancd.org.au

Bailie R, Siciliano F, Dane G, Bevan L, Paradies Y, Carson B (2002)
Atlas of health-related infrastructure in discrete Indigenous communities.
Melbourne: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).

This publication provides an overview of health-related infrastructure in discrete Indigenous communities across Australia. Information on the current status of health-related infrastructure should facilitate decision making regarding relative need and future policy development. A brief description of the health implications of various categories of infrastructure is also provided. Data for the atlas is derived from ATSIC's 1999 Community Housing and Infrastructure Needs Survey (CHINS).

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about this publication should be directed to the: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), National Housing and Infrastructure Centre, Level 13, 50 Queen Street, Melbourne Vic 3000.

Cairnduff S, Guthridge S (2002)
Exploring Indigenous home management programs in the Northern Territory.
Casuarina: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health.

This project is the product of an inter-agency collaboration seeking better understanding of the health and social impact of housing and home management services in Indigenous communities. The project reflects the collaborative interest of a range of service providers in examining and improving home management policy and service provision in the Northern Territory.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 303KB) may be downloaded from the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health (CRCATH) website. To Other enquiries about the publication should be directed to the: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, PO Box 41096, Casuarina NT 0811, ph: (08) 8922 8451, fax: (08) 8927 5187.

Gray D, Saggers S, eds. (2002)
Indigenous Australian alcohol and other drug issues: research from the National Drug Research Institute.
Perth: National Drug Research Institute.

This book, compiled by the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University of Technology, is a collection of journal articles and book chapters on Indigenous Australian drug and alcohol research. The book highlights the importance of linking research centres and community controlled organisations across rural and remote areas of Australia, and presents a range of findings about liquor licensing restrictions and alcohol projects.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about this publication should be directed to: National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845, ph: (08) 9426 4200, fax: (08) 9486 9477, web: http://www.ndri.curtin.edu.au

Gray D, Sputore B, Stearne A, Bourbon D, Strempel P (2002)
Indigenous drug and alcohol projects 1999-2000.
Canberra: Australian National Council on Drugs.

This report, prepared for the Australian National Council on Drugs, outlines the number and nature of programs that specifically target Indigenous people experiencing drug and alcohol problems. The first of a two-phase project, the report provides a historical overview of interventions and identifies current community-based and prison-based programs. The report documents the geographic and demographic distribution of programs, examines recent program evaluations, and seeks to identify programs that provide examples of 'best practice'.

The report reviews existing literature to provide an overview of the development of alcohol and other drug interventions for Indigenous Australians. The review highlights the increasing need for rational and equitable planning in the delivery of services to Indigenous communities.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report may be downloaded in a range of formats (single PDF file - 11.8MB; two smaller PDF files - 4.6MB and 7MB; or as a PDF briefing paper - 88KB) from the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) website. Other enquiries should be directed to: the Australian National Council on Drugs, PO Box 1552, Canberra ACT 2601, email: ancd@ancd.org.au

Grundy J, Tyrell M, Wakerman J (2001)
Laramba Diabetes Project: an evaluation.
Alice Springs: Centre for Remote Health.

Laramba is a traditional Aboriginal community of approximately 300, situated in remote central Australia. The Laramba Diabetes Project, a joint initiative between the National Heart Foundation, Territory Health Services and the Laramba community, was conducted over the 2 year period 1999 -2000. The aim of the Project was to increase the knowledge and management of diabetes within the community.

The Project was evaluated at the conclusion of the 2 year period and the results are presented in this evaluation report. Findings were positive, indicating that the project had '...demonstrated the potential to provide important social and individual health benefits for the population of Laramba'.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about this publication should be directed to: Centre for Remote Health, PO Box 4066, Alice Springs NT 0871, email: crh@flinders.edu.au

Holly C, Shoobridge J (2002)
Investigating the impact of injecting drug use in Indigenous communities in metropolitan Adelaide. Community report.
Adelaide: Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc.

This community report, compiled by the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (ADAC), is the largest single study of Indigenous people who inject drugs in Australia. The report describes the drug use trends and injecting practices of Aboriginal people in metropolitan Adelaide. The report documents the: drug use patterns; injecting practices; knowledge of blood borne viruses; and the impact of injecting drug use on the Indigenous community.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about this publication should be directed to: Carol Holly or Scott Wilson, Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc., 53 King William Street, Kent Town SA 5067, ph: (08) 8362 0395, web: http://www.adac.org.au

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council, Effective Health Care Australia, University of Sydney and School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University (2002)
Guidelines for the development, implementation and evaluation of national public health strategies in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Approaches and recommendations.
Melbourne: National Public Health Partnership

This report presents the findings of a project commissioned by the National Public Health Partnership (NPHP) to review options and make recommendations for guidelines on the development of national public health strategies in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The review recommended that effective Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation form a central part of the planning and development of national public health strategies. The review found that most public health strategies are either not evaluated, or evaluations of them are not published. It suggested that the evaluation of national public health strategies should be seen as an integral and necessary component of strategy development and implementation.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report is available (HTML; PDF - 320KB) on the National Public Health Partnership website.

NSW Health Department (2001)
NSW Tobacco Action Plan 2001-2004.
North Sydney: NSW Health Department

Tobacco smoking is the single greatest preventable cause of death and disability particularly in the areas of cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The NSW Tobacco Action Plan 2001-2004 details the State Government's commitment to the prevention and reduction of tobacco related harm in New South Wales. Priority populations groups within the plan include children, young people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with high smoking rates.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquires about this publication should be directed to: the Tobacco and Health Unit, Health Promotion Branch, NSW Health Department, Locked Bag 961, North Sydney 2059, ph: (02) 9391 9111.

Queensland Health (2002)
Meeting the challenge 2002. Better health and well-being for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland.
Brisbane: Queensland Government

This report, produced by the Queensland Government, outlines policy development strategies, service access, community capacity building, and coordination and collaboration activities for the Aboriginal population in the state of Queensland in 2002. A variety of existing strategies and programs are reviewed, and new programs are outlined.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquires about this publication should be directed to: the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Unit, GPO Box 48, Brisbane QLD 4001, ph: (07) 3234 0765, fax: (07) 3234 0762, web: http://www.health.qld.gov.au

Thomson N, ed. (2001)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health at the end of the 20th century.
Perth: Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet.

A compilation of papers originally presented at the 1999 Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the Royal College of Physicians (RACP). Indigenous health was a major theme of the ASM, and the papers in this publication cover a range of Indigenous health issues including:

  • the general policy context;
  • the experiences of Indigenous peoples internationally;
  • specific health services initiatives; and
  • individual health topics.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This publication will be made available on the HealthInfoNet website in the coming weeks. Other enquiries about the publication should be directed to: Neil Thomson, Director, Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet.
 
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Last updated: 4 October, 2002