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.

• Aboriginal Best Start: status report added 26 February 2004
• Aboriginal primary health care: an evidence-based approach added 5 January 2004
• Blacktown Aboriginal injury surveillance and prevention project report added 6 February 2004
• Department of Human Services Gippsland Aboriginal action plan 2003-2004 added 16 January 2004
• Indigenous Australians in the contemporary labour market added 30 January 2004
• Indigenous Research Reform Agenda: a review of the literature added 3 March 2004
• Speak out speak strong: researching the needs of Aboriginal women in custody added 5 January 2004
• The health of Indigenous Australians added 17 February 2004
• 3rd National Indigenous Male Health Convention, 5th National Men and Boys Health Conference, final report: learning with and from Indigenous men added 16 March 2004

Apunipima Cape York Health Council (2004)
3rd National Indigenous Male Health Convention, 5th National Men and Boys Health Conference, final report: learning with and from Indigenous men.
Cairns: Apunipima Cape York Health Council

This report summarises the proceedings of the 3^rd National Indigenous Male Health Convention and the 5^th National Men and Boys Health Conference held in Cairns, Queensland in 2003. It includes infomation on aims, planning and sponsorship. Additional content includes excerpts from speeches, points raised in discussions, evaluations, resolutions and recommendations.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This report (1.46 MB - large file warning!) is available on the Apunipima website. For further information or to purchase a hard copy of the report contact: Dr PD Ryan, PO Box 149, Edge Hill QLD 4870, ph: 0417 998 892. Or contact: Apunipima Cape York Health Council, 343 Fearnley Street, PO Box 2797, Cairns QLD 4870, ph: (07) 4051 7450, fax:(07) 4051 7940, email: Webmaster@apunipima.org.au

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2004)
Indigenous Australians in the contemporary labour market.
Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics

This report describes Indigenous labour force characteristics and includes a recent history. Analysis of the labour market includes: factors underlying Indigenous employment; types of organisations that employ Indigenous people; self-employment among Indigenous people; and occupations according to demographic features and location. There is a comprehensive overview of the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) scheme and its effects on employment rates.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Further information and details regarding how to obtain a copy of this report (PDF-1.0 MB-large file warning!) are available on the ABS website.

Couzos S, Murray R (2003)
Aboriginal primary health care: an evidence-based approach.
Melbourne: Oxford University Press

This comprehensive guide on Aboriginal health follows the first edition published in 1999. The second edition provides an updated overview of: Aboriginal health policy; health services; working partnerships and preventative strategies. The book highlights best practice models developed by Aboriginal community controlled health services and aims to assist those working in the field of Aboriginal health to understand the evidence-base behind primary care interventions. Specific health conditions are described within the context of the underlying poverty, overcrowding, and poor nutrition affecting Aboriginal people.

Health issues are discussed in chapters on:

• ischaemic heart disease
• rheumatic fever
• diabetes
• suicide and self-harm
• tuberculosis
• skin infections
• chronic renal failure
• ear health
• trachoma
• sexually transmitted infections
• substance misuse

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Details of how to obtain this book are available on the Oxford University Press website or by contacting Oxford University Press directly: 253 Normanby Road, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205, GPO Box 2784Y, Melbourne Victoria 3001, ph: (03) 9934 9123, toll free: 1300 650 616, fax: (03) 9934 9100. The book is also available through leading bookstores, RRP $ 95.00.

Henry J, Dunbar T, Arnott A, Scrimgeour M, Murakami-Gold L (2004)
Indigenous Research Reform Agenda: a review of the literature.
Casuarina, Northern Territory: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health

This literature review is the 5th monograph in the LINKS series and is intended to provide a broad framework of reference for emerging issues within the LINKS Action project. The project, also known as 'Action research for managing, undertaking and disseminating Aboriginal health research for improved health outcomes', is a strategic research initiative of the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health.

This review details: research methodologies; ethics; institutional arrangements for the management of Indigenous health research; transfer and dissemination of research findings and capacity building. It takes into account that the Indigenous health research reform agenda is informed by a range of policies and by developments within agencies and institutions.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 201KB) is available on the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health website. For further information contact: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health, PO Box 41096, Casuarina NT 0811, ph: (08) 8922 8396, fax: (08) 8922 7797, email: admin@crcah.org.au or contact Michael Duffy, ph: (08) 89228841, email: michael.duffy@menzies.edu.au

Lawrie R (2003)
Speak out speak strong: researching the needs of Aboriginal women in custody.
Sydney: Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council

This report describes the Speak Out Speak Strong Project which evolved in response to concerns about the increasing rate at which Aboriginal women are imprisoned in NSW and the lack of qualitative information about their experiences. The project was implemented in two stages: a comprehensive survey of 50 Aboriginal women imprisoned in NSW; and follow up narrative interviews with a small sample of participants. The report details the demographics of the women in custody, and their past experiences of abuse, drug and alcohol use, and separation from families. The report explores the women's interaction with the criminal justice system and their transition back to the community.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (cover: PDF - 277KB; full text: PDF - 562KB) is available on the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council website. For further information or details regarding how to obtain a copy of the report contact: the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council, ph: (02) 9228 8106, fax: (02) 9228 8109, email: brendan_thomas@agd.nsw.gov.au

Thomson N, ed. (2003)
The health of Indigenous Australians.
South Melbourne: Oxford University Press

This recently released book documents evidence of the health status of Australia's Indigenous people and links it broadly to policy and program implications. Taking a public health approach, detailed information about health conditions is placed within a broad social framework. Chapters on population; the economic and social context of Indigenous health; and births, deaths and hospitalisation assist in setting the scene. Detailing an extensive range of available evidence, the following chapters provide up-to-date summaries on the most important conditions affecting Indigenous people:

• Growth and nutrition
• Diabetes
• Mental health
• Alcohol and substance abuse
• Cardiovascular disease
• Respiratory system disorders
• Ear disease and hearing loss
• Eye health
• Cancer
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Disorders of the renal-urological system
• Pneumococcal disease
• Other communicable diseases
• Injury
• Oral health
• Disability

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Details of how to obtain this book are available on the Oxford University Press website or by contacting Oxford University Press directly: 253 Normanby Road, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205, GPO Box 2784Y, Melbourne Victoria 3001, ph: (03) 9934 9123, toll free: 1300 650 616, fax: (03) 9934 9100. The book is also available through leading bookstores, RRP $69.95.

Victorian Government Department of Human Services (2004)
Aboriginal Best Start: status report.
Melbourne: Victorian Government Department of Human Services

Best Start is a project aimed at improving the health, development, learning and well-being of Victorian children from conception through transition to school. This report details the first phase of the Aboriginal Best Start project. It is divided into three sections:

• an outline of the project consultations with the Aboriginal community;
• the project context with key information about Victoria's Aboriginal children; and
• literature that refines the key issues, and proposed strategies and core activities.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 389KB) is available on the Best Start, Victorian Government Department of Human Services website. For further information contact: Community Care Division, Department of Human Services (DHS), 13/ 555 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, email: Community.Care@dhs.vic.gov.au.

Victorian Government Department of Human Services (2003)
Department of Human Services Gippsland Aboriginal action plan 2003-2004.
Traralgon, Victoria: Victorian Government Department of Human Services

This report provides a description of the consultative process that shaped the action plan. The resulting key regional priorities are outlined under the topics of, children and families, youth and lengthening life. The membership of the Implementation Reference Group is described and contact details are provided. The report concludes with a section on 'longer term work' for the period 2004-06.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 274KB) is available on the Victorian Government Department of Human Services website. For further information contact the Victorian Government Department of Human Services, Library Information Services, Ground Floor, 555 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, ph: (03) 9616 7843, fax: (03) 9616 8142, email: Reference-Desk.Library@dhs.vic.gov.au

Western Sydney Area Health Service (2003)
Blacktown Aboriginal injury surveillance and prevention project report.
Parramatta: Western Sydney Area Health Service 

The focus of this report is injury among Aboriginal people in Western Sydney. It describes a project that was commissioned to extend work already done in the Shoalhaven and Mid-North Coast Health Areas of New South Wales, to an urban area. Sources of information for the report include: hospital statistics; police data; and records from interviews and focus groups. A variety of injuries affecting Aboriginal people are included and an analysis of the use of services and the influences of socio-economic factors is undertaken.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 962KB) is available on the NSW Health website. For further information contact: Western Sydney Area Health Service, Centre for Public Health, Gungurra (Building 68), Cumberland Hospital, Locked Bag 7118, Parramatta BC NSW 2150, ph: (02) 9840 3603, (02) 9840 3708, fax: (02) 9840 3608.

Last updated: 17 May, 2006