HealthBulletin

Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin
Vol 3 No 4 October 2003 - December 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 (2003)
Population characteristics: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians 2001.
Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics
View ABS summary (HTML)

This demographic profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is compiled from data collected in the 2001 Census. The report outlines population characteristics including: the national distribution of Indigenous people; household composition; education levels; employment rates; income; ancestry; language; religion; transport and use of information technology. The format of the report consists of summaries and tables.

Further information and details regarding how to obtain a copy of the report are available on the ABS website.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2003)
Rural, regional and remote health: a study on mortality.
Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

This report on the mortality of Australians in rural, regional and remote areas includes specific information on the Indigenous population and provides comparisons of Indigenous and non-Indigenous rates. The methodology used for collecting data and issues surrounding the assessment of data quality are discussed. Indigenous mortality rates were compiled from data obtained in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland where identification of Indigenous status is most complete. The main findings are grouped under six headings: demography; overall death rates; life expectancy; changes in death rate 1992-1999; broad causes of death and specific causes of death.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Dobson I, Darling K (2003)
Aboriginal youth mental health partnership project: evaluation report.
Port Adelaide: Department of Human Services Mental Health Unit & Aboriginal Services Division

This report details an evaluation of the Aboriginal Youth Mental Health Partnership Project for young Aboriginal people who are involved in, or who are at high risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system, and for whom concerns exist regarding their mental health and/or emotional well being.

The initial objectives of the project were to:

The evaluation details the analysis of the key learning from the first three years with recommendations for future development.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 115KB) is available on the Adelaide Women and Children's Hospital website. For further information and details regarding how to obtain a copy of the report contact: Ms Karen Darling, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Worker, CAMHS, 78-80 Dale Street, Port Adelaide SA 5015, ph: 8341 1222, fax: 8341 2495, email: darling.karen@saugov.sa.gov.au

Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (2003)
National Drug Strategy: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Complementary Action Plan 2003-2006, background paper.
Canberra: Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy

This background paper describes the development of the National Drug Strategy Complementary Action Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The paper describes the historical and contemporary context of substance use in the Indigenous population and the factors that may influence drug use. The extent and nature of the use of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, petrol and other inhalants is described and literature on: control of supply; demand management; harm reduction; early intervention and treatment is reviewed. National, state and territory plans and strategies for addressing drug use are identified and their relevance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is outlined.

Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (2003)
National Drug Strategy: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Complementary Action Plan 2003-2006, action plan.
Canberra: Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy

This document describes the culturally appropriate approach adopted by the National Drug Strategy Action Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The action plan is structured around six key result areas: enhanced capacity; whole of government effort and commitment; substantially improved access; holistic approaches; workforce initiatives and sustainable partnerships. The document identifies the relevance of the action plan to various groups of people, communities and organisations and provides examples of actions. It explains how performance measurement for the action plan will reflect National Drug Framework requirements in addition to those specifically developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.

Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (2003)
National Drug Strategy: Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Complementary Action Plan 2003-2006, Torres Strait Islander supplement.
Canberra: Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy

This companion to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Complementary Action Plan 2003-2006 addresses drug issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula area.

The action plan is structured around six key result areas: enhanced capacity, whole of government effort and commitment; substantially improved access; a range of holistic approaches; workforce initiatives and increased ownership. The action areas for the Torres Strait Islander population identify various groups of people, communities and organisations involved in the plan and provide examples of actions. The document explains how performance measurement for the action plan reflects National Drug Framework requirements in addition to those specifically targeting the Torres Strait Islander population.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Queensland Government (2003)
Queensland Indigenous sexual health strategy 2003 to 2006.
Brisbane: Queensland Government

The aim of the Queensland Indigenous sexual health strategy is to provide a solid and sustainable framework for improving the sexual health of Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. This report describes the context of sexual health policy internationally, nationally and within Queensland. The epidemiology and management of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the Queensland Indigenous population are outlined. The strategy includes involvement of Indigenous communities to reduce the transmission and impact of STIs and encouragement of partnerships between local Aboriginal and Islander community controlled health services and other service providers. The key role of Indigenous sexual health workers is highlighted with incentives planned for recruitment, such as increasing access to training and identifying career paths.

The report (PDF - 191KB) is available on the Queensland Health website. For further information and details regarding how to obtain a hardcopy of the report contact: Queensland Health, Queensland Health Building, 147-163 Charlotte Street, Brisbane Queensland 4000, Postal Address: GPO Box 48, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, ph: (07) 3234 0111.

Steering Committee for the Review of Commonwealth Service Provision (2003)
Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage: key indicators 2003.
Canberra: Productivity Commission

This is the first of a series of regular reports designed to identify whether policy programs and interventions are achieving positive outcomes for Indigenous people and help guide future work. The Steering Committee was commissioned by the Council of Australian Governments to report against key indicators of Indigenous disadvantage. Content of the report includes information on:

The report (PDF - 1.3MB - large file warning!) and the overview (PDF - 1.0MB - large file warning!) are available on the Productivity Commission website. For further information or copies of the report contact: McMillan Print Management, PO Box 136, Regent's Park NSW 2143, Call Centre ph: 02 9795 1200, fax: 02 9795 1222, email: custserv@jsmcmillan.com.au

Tropical Public Health Unit (2003)
Indigenous oral health flipcharts. Evaluation report.
Cairns: Queensland Health

This report details the evaluation of the flip charts Building strong teeth and Looking after young mouths following their distribution and use within Queensland. The evaluation methodology is described and the results of the data collection are summarised. The report concludes with a discussion of the culturally appropriate oral health education resources and outlines recommendations for future improvements.

For further information and details regarding how to obtain a copy of the report contact: Felicity Pembroke, Health Promotion Coordinator (Oral Health), Tropical Public Health Unit, 19 Aplin Street, Cairns QLD 4870. Postal address: Tropical Public Health Unit, PO Box 1103, Cairns, QLD 4870, ph: (07) 4050 6383, fax: (07) 4051 5227, email: Felicity_Pembroke@health.qld.gov.au

Working Party of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health & Well Being Reference Committee (2003)
A National Framework for Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males: exposure draft.
Canberra: The Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

This report documents Indigenous men's health issues and the development of the National Framework for Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males, including the existing policy and planning context. The framework is a guide for facilitating improvements in the commitment, knowledge, interventions and practices of relevant stakeholders. The framework's guiding principles and key areas of focus are outlined with the intention of prompting information exchange and further refinement of the framework.

For further information contact the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, MDP 17, Department of Health and Ageing, GPO Box 9848, Canberra, ACT 2601 ph: (02) 6289 5291, fax: (02) 6289 1412, email: oatsih.enquiries@health.gov.au