Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin
Vol 3 No 3 July 2003 - September 2003: ISSN 1445-7253

A peer-reviewed 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, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2003)
The health and welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 2003.
Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

This is the fourth edition of a series of biennial reports on the health and welfare of Australia's Indigenous peoples. It provides a unique national overview drawing on the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Census of Population and Housing, Community Housing and Infrastructure Needs Survey, the National Health Survey and a range of data held by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

A diversity of topics are covered including: population statistics; health status; death and ill health; risk factors; housing and infrastructure; community services and housing assistance; use of services; resourcing and recent developments in health and welfare information.

The report identifies the factors that contribute to the poor health of Indigenous Australians, however, it also highlights some of the initiatives being undertaken to improve health-related circumstances in Indigenous communities.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Further information and details regarding how to obtain a copy of the report are available on the ABS and AIHW websites:
View ABS summary
View report (PDF - 4.75MB - large file warning!)
View interview transcript (PM, Radio National)

Australian Medical Association (2003)
Public report card 2003: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, time for action.
Barton: Australian Medical Association

This is the AMA's second report card on the health of Indigenous people and presents updated information. Included are summaries of health status, hospitalisation rates and social determinants. Comments are made on initiatives to address Indigenous health problems. Also mentioned are estimates of the funding needed to ensure all Indigenous people receive access to essential health care.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 1481KB) is available on the Australian Medical Association website. For more information or copies of the report contact: Australian Medical Association, PO Box E115, Kingston ACT 2604, ph: (02) 6270 5400, fax: (02) 6270 5499, email: ama@ama.com.au.

Bennett J, Wellard R (2003)
Evaluation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Projects: GP training and support.
South Melbourne: The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

This report provides details of the methods and outcomes of a comprehensive external evaluation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Projects. The projects were coordinated by the National Rural Faculty of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). The evaluation assessed seven intended project outcomes associated with the provision of training and support for GPs and GP registrars delivering health services to Indigenous Australians. The report concludes with an overview and a summary of key themes and issues.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For copies of the report contact: Pauline Curtis, RACGP, National Rural Faculty, 15 Gover Street, North Adelaide SA 5006, ph: (08) 8267 8351, fax: (08) 8267 8359, email: pauline.curtis@racgp.org.au

Gorham G (2003)
Prevention and treatment options for renal disease in the Northern Territory (with particular reference to the Barkly region).
Casuarina: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health

Nationally there are higher levels of end stage renal failure among Aboriginal people than non-Aboriginal people. This report focuses on the Northern Territory (NT) where the incidence is highest. Descriptions of the epidemiology of renal disease in the NT are included, but the emphasis of the report is on service provision, including: the historical context; prevention, screening and intervention programs; barriers to delivering efficient services; and funding. Particular treatment issues for Aboriginal people are described within the context of connections with family, community and land and the underlying social determinants of health.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 1.78MB) is available on the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health website. For more information or copies of the report contact: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, PO Box 41096, Casuarina NT 0811, ph: (08) 8922 8106, fax: (08) 8927 5187.

Kids Help Line (2003)
Towards a talking circle: a review of concerns of callers from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
Red Hill, Queensland: Kids Help Line

This report draws on over six years of data and identifies an increasing number of telephone calls made by Indigenous children and young people to the Kids Help Line (KHL). Many of the concerns raised in the calls tend to be more severe than those of Anglo-Australian peers. In order to interpret and act on the issues raised in a culturally appropriate way, a consultation process was initiated with individuals, organisations, agencies and community groups. Incorporating feedback from this process, the report documents an analysis and interpretation of the problems about which Indigenous callers seek help from the KHL.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 189KB) is available on the Kids Help Line website. For more information contact: Kids Help Line, PO Box 376, Red Hill Qld 4059, ph: (07) 3369 1588 fax: (07) 3367 1266 email: admin@kidshelp.com.au

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council (2003)
National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: framework for action by governments.
Canberra: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council

The National Strategic Framework builds on the National Aboriginal Health Strategy (1989) (view Framework and Strategy documents). It draws together nationally agreed strategies to address specific health problems, state and territory policies and plans and the national collaborative policy and planning frameworks within which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health programs are managed. The report details nine principles on which the National Strategic Framework is based and describes three central desired outcomes:
towards a more effective and responsive health system;
influencing the health impacts of the non-health sector; and
providing the infrastructure to improve health status.
The conclusion describes the implementation and evaluation plans and identifies the responsible organisations.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 351KB) is available on the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health website. For more information or copies of the report contact: NATSIHC Secretariat, MDP 17, PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, ph: (02) 6289 5315, fax: (02) 6289 1412.

NSW Department of Health (2003)
Aboriginal workforce development strategic plan.
North Sydney: NSW Department of Health

The health workforce plan detailed in this report forms part of the response for addressing the inequities affecting Aboriginal people in NSW. Included is a map demonstrating the integration of other associated national and state background documents and the relationships between strategies. The plan is aimed at identifying and addressing workforce issues and improving access to services for Aboriginal people. Supportive strategies and key priorities are described.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 262KB) is available from the NSW Health website. For more information contact: NSW Department of Health, 73 Miller Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060 ph: (02) 9391 9000 fax: (02) 9391 9101. For copies of this report contact: Better Health Centre - Publications Warehouse, Locked Mail Bag 5003, Gladesville NSW 2111, pH: (02) 9816 0452 fax: (02) 9816 0492.

Smith D, Mununggurr L, Bamundurruwuy D, Edmond K, Wunungmurra P, Nyomba H (2003)
How children grow: Indigenous and health professional perceptions.
Casuarina: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health

This report, written for health service providers, records perceptions of child growth in a remote Aboriginal community in the Top End of the Northern Territory. The information was collected as part of the Djamarrkuli' Manymak Nguthanawuy Djäma or Improving Child Growth in the NT Project. This two and a half year participatory action research project by the Department of Health and Community Services was funded through the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health (CRCATH). The research includes interviews with Indigenous community members and health service providers and compares opinions regarding child growth. Statements made by participants provide insight into life in the community.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 874KB) is available on the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health website. For more information or copies of the report contact: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, PO Box 41096, Casuarina NT 0811, ph: (08) 8922 8106, fax: (08) 8927 5187.

Walker R, Ballard J, Taylor C (2003)
Developing paradigms and discourses to establish more appropriate evaluation frameworks and indicators for housing programs.
Perth: Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Western Australia Research Centre

Presented in this report are key findings and research outcomes from an investigation into methods and indicators used by government and community organisations when assessing Indigenous housing programs and interventions. These evaluations are considered within the broad context of housing issues for Indigenous people. The report demonstrates the associations of housing with health, social and economic well-being and education.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 302KB) is available on the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute website. For more information or copies of the report contact: Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, level 7 20 Queen Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000, ph: 3 9613 5400, fax: 3 9629 8536, email: information@ahuri.edu.au
 
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