Australian Indigenous

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.

• A report on the feasibility study of the proposed NT pneumococcal vaccine trial added 27 February 2003
• Australian social trends added 4 February 2003
• Dulap Bininang meeting place: Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Co-operative Ltd. added13 March 2003
• Hospital statistics. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. 1999-2000 added 13 February 2003
• Indigenous research reform agenda. Changing institutions added 6 March 2003
• Indigenous research reform agenda. Positioning the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health added 6 March 2003
• Indigenous research reform agenda. Promoting the use of health research added 6 March 2003
• Indigenous research reform agenda. Rethinking research methodologies added 6 March 2003
• National Health Survey: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander results, Australia 2001 added 26 March 2003
• Putting the picture together, inquiry into response by government agencies to complaints of family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities added 7 January 2003
• Putting people first: the Western Australian State Government's action plan for addressing family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities added 8 January 2003
• The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program follow-up audit added 24 January 2003

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2002)
Australian social trends.
Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics

This report provides information on social issues and public policy to demonstrate how Australian society changes over time. There are seven major areas of concern: population; family; health; education; work; income and expenditure. Two sections of the report provide information specific to Indigenous Australians.

1. Health - mortality and morbidity: mortality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
This section of the report details life expectancy and death rates, including age-specific death rates, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The leading causes of mortality for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population are compared with those for the total population. Data quality issues are discussed, including the inadequacy of coverage for accurate monitoring and the progress being made.

2. Education - participation in education: education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
This section of the report examines the extent to which Indigenous students participate in primary, secondary and tertiary education sectors and presents some measures of performance and achievement. Studies demonstrate that education is a key factor to improved health and socioeconomic status and lend support to calls for Indigenous students to remain at school for as long as possible to improve educational outcomes and entry rates to tertiary education. The report acknowledges the range of issues that impact on Indigenous people accessing the education system.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Information on obtaining a full copy of the report is available on the ABS website. The ABS website has also made individual sections of the report available online in html format.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2002)
National Health Survey: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander results, Australia 2001.
Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics
View ABS summary (HTML)

This report details the Indigenous component of the National Health Survey (NHS), 2001 conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The results presented include: self assessed health; long term health conditions; health related actions and lifestyle; other health risk factors and women's health characteristics. Some health issues are separately described for non-remote and remote areas. Included are some comparisons between Indigenous and non-Indigenous data and a selection of results are compared also with the NHS, 1995.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Further information and details regarding how to obtain a copy of the report are available on the ABS website where Ausstats subscribers can download the report in PDF format.

Australian National Audit Office (2002)
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program follow-up audit.
Canberra: Australian National Audit Office

In this report the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) reviews the extent to which the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing has implemented the twelve recommendations of the 1998 audit of the administration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program (view document). Recommendations from the 1998 audit focussed on improving processes and coordination, and achieving best practice within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program. The follow-up audit has taken into account any changed circumstances or new administrative issues identified as impacting on the implementation of the recommendations. It indicates that eight of the twelve recommendations have been fully implemented, one has been partially implemented and three are in the process of implementation. Also included in the report is an overview of Indigenous health with discussion of issues regarding policy, funding and access to services. The ANAO has made no further recommendations in this report regarding the administration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This report may be downloaded from the Australian National Audit Office website. ANAO reports are available also from Government Info shops. Further enquiries should be directed to: the Publications Manager, Australian National Audit Office, GPO Box 707, Canberra ACT 2601, ph: (02) 6203 7505, fax: (02) 6203 7519.

Condon J, Carapetis J, O'Grady KA, et al. (2002)
A report on the feasibility study of the proposed NT pneumococcal vaccine trial.
Darwin: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health

This report consists of six sections which present the findings of a feasibility study for a proposed pneumococcal vaccination trial in the Northern Territory. One of the main considerations of the study was to assess whether an adequate informed consent process could be conducted for such a large scale trial involving a diverse range of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Various issues led the feasibility study team to recommend that the larger scale trial should not proceed. However, a smaller scale trial focusing on pneumonia and otitis media is currently underway in areas of Central Australia. Sections 1 and 2 of the report detail a summary and overview of the results. Sections 3 and 4 present the scientific design of the study and the logistics. Sections 5 and 6 outline the consultation program and the informed consent procedures.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For more information about the report or for copies contact: The Director, Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, Box 41096, Casuarina NT 0811, ph: (08) 8922 8106, fax: (08) 8927 5187.

Garrow A, Van der Sterren A (2002)
Dulap Bininang meeting place: Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Co-operative Ltd.
Fitzroy: Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Co-operative Ltd

The Dulap Bininang Meeting Place is an after-hours health and well-being program run by the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) for young Kooris aged 12-25 years. This community report documents the history of the program, how it works, and its strengths and problems. Included are recommendations for how Dulap Bininang can be improved in the future.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For more information contact: the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Co-operative Ltd., 186 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy Victoria 3065, ph: (03) 419 3000, fax: (03) 9417 3897, e-mail: vahs@kooriweb.org

Gordon S, Hallahan K, Henry D (2002)
Putting the picture together, inquiry into response by government agencies to complaints of family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities.
Perth: Department of Premier and Cabinet

The Inquiry into response by government agencies to complaints of family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities was prompted by the coronial inquest into the death of 15-year-old Susan Ann Taylor at the Swan Valley Nyoongar Community in Lockridge, Western Australia in 1999. This report outlines the procedures and findings of the Inquiry which examined issues surrounding the inquest and family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities. The Inquiry investigated the responses of government and other agencies to allegations of family violence and child abuse and sought information on the causes and prevalence of such abuse and appropriate solutions . The report includes recommendations and detailed plans for addressing identified issues and concerns.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This report (PDF - 4.5MB - large file warning!) may be downloaded from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet website. An abstract of the report that documents the WA State Government response to the Inquiry is available below. Further information on the Inquiry and the WA State Government response is available in the 'Current topics' section of this HealthBulletin.

Henry J, Dunbar T, Arnott A, et al. (2002)
Indigenous research reform agenda. Positioning the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health.
Casuarina: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health

This report reviews Indigenous health research and in particular, the Indigenous Health Research Reform Agenda. It includes an exploration of the CRCATH position in the promotion, debate and implementation of the Agenda.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This report forms part of the Links monograph series 1-4 which documents aspects of the Indigenous Research Reform Agenda. The series may be downloaded in PDF format from the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health website

For more information or copies of this report or the series contact: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, Box 41096, Casuarina NT 0811, ph: (08) 8922 8106, fax: (08) 8927 5187. Alternatively, copies of these and other publications are also available from the CRCATH Research Transfer and Communications team,
ph: (08) 8922 8841, email: michael.duffy@ath.crc.org.au

Henry J, Dunbar T, Arnott A, et al. (2002)
Indigenous research reform agenda. Rethinking research methodologies.
Casuarina: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health

This report outlines Indigenous research methodologies from the perspective of cross-disciplinary research, collaborative and participatory research methodologies, and the development of reflexive research practice.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This report forms part of the Links monograph series 1-4 which documents aspects of the Indigenous Research Reform Agenda. The series may be downloaded in PDF format from the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health website

For more information or copies of this report or the series contact: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, Box 41096, Casuarina NT 0811, ph: (08) 8922 8106, fax: (08) 8927 5187. Alternatively, copies of these and other publications are also available from the CRCATH Research Transfer and Communications team,
ph: (08) 8922 8841, email: michael.duffy@ath.crc.org.au

Henry J, Dunbar T, Arnott A, et al. (2002)
Indigenous research reform agenda. Changing institutions.
Casuarina: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health

This report details challenges to institutionalised approaches to Indigenous health research. It outlines support for reform in terms of monitoring research and changing processes to engage with the Indigenous Research Reform Agenda (IRRA). It offers examples of how institutions are attempting to incorporate key aspects of the IRRA.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This report forms part of the Links monograph series 1-4 which documents aspects of the Indigenous Research Reform Agenda. The series may be downloaded in PDF format from the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health website

For more information or copies of this report or the series contact: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, Box 41096, Casuarina NT 0811, ph: (08) 8922 8106, fax: (08) 8927 5187. Alternatively, copies of these and other publications are also available from the CRCATH Research Transfer and Communications team,
ph: (08) 8922 8841, email: michael.duffy@ath.crc.org.au

Lehoczky S, Isaacs J, Grayson N, Hargreaves J (2002)
Hospital statistics. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. 1999-2000.
Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

In the financial year 1999-2000, Indigenous people were hospitalised at least twice as frequently as non-Indigenous people. In this report, comparisons of Indigenous with non-Indigenous hospitalisation data are detailed according to hospital separations, principal diagnoses and types of procedures. Highlighted in the report are data that indicate significant differences in rates for the Indigenous population compared with the non-Indigenous population.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This report may be downloaded in PDF format from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website.

Matthews S, Scrimgeour M, Dunbar T, et al. (2002)
Indigenous research reform agenda. Promoting the use of health research.
Casuarina: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health

This report outlines the implications for organisations in regard to Indigenous health research reform and offers guidance for the promotion of Indigenous health research into health services policy, practice, service delivery and individuals' behaviour.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This report forms part of the Links monograph series 1-4 which documents aspects of the Indigenous Research Reform Agenda. The series may be downloaded in PDF format from the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health website

For more information or copies of this report or the series contact: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, Box 41096, Casuarina NT 0811, ph: (08) 8922 8106, fax: (08) 8927 5187. Alternatively, copies of these and other publications are also available from the CRCATH Research Transfer and Communications team,
ph: (08) 8922 8841, email: michael.duffy@ath.crc.org.au

Western Australian State Government (2002)
Putting people first: the Western Australian State Government's action plan for addressing family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities.
Perth: The Western Australian State Government

In this Western Australian State Government report it is acknowledged that there has been a systemic problem in dealing with issues of family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities. The action plan detailed in the report accepts most of the recommendations from the Inquiry into response by government agencies to complaints of family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities (view abstract). Plans outline strengthening responses to child abuse and family violence and to vulnerable children and adults at risk. In addition to strengthening safety within communities, the government also aims to facilitate strengthening governance, confidence, economic capacity and sustainability. To enable improvements initiatives will involve: across-government collaboration and coordination; staff as major agents of change; legislation; improved information sharing; inter-agency protocols; reporting processes and data collection; a child death review process and communications technology. The response also includes specific recommendations for agencies involved in family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Further information on the Inquiry and the WA State Government response is available in the 'Current topics' section of this HealthBulletin. The WA State Government report (PDF - 1.2MB - large file warning!) may be downloaded from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet website.

Last updated: 29 April, 2004