HealthBulletin

Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin
Vol 4 No 2 April 2004 - June 2004: 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.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner (2004)
Social justice report 2003.
Sydney: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

The report considers the progress of Indigenous social justice issues and initiatives, particularly in the areas of:

The report identifies a number of recent positive developments, such as progress in implementing the Council of Australian Government's commitment towards reconciliation through the release of the national indicators on overcoming Indigenous disadvantage, and the whole of government community trials. However serious concerns, that the pace of progress in improving Indigenous well-being and reducing inequality is too slow and unsustainable in the long-term, persist.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2004)
Australia's health 2004: the ninth biennial report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's ninth biennial health report is an authoritative source of information about the health of Australian people. It includes a section dedicated to the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Evidence documenting mortality, common diseases and health problems, and mental health, demonstrates the disadvantages experienced by Indigenous people compared with other Australians. The impact of various health risk factors and poor housing and living conditions are also described.

The main chapters in Australia's health 2004 include:

Dunbar T, Arnott A, Henry J, Scrimgeour M, Murakami-Gold L (2004)
CRCATH 1997-2002: working towards change in Indigenous health research.
Casuarina, Northern Territory: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health

Detailing the LINKS action research project, this report documents the: project aims, literature review, data collection and analysis; project findings; recommendations and project outcomes. The project forms part of CRCATH's commitment to challenging approaches to Aboriginal health research and facilitating the transfer of findings into the development of policies and health service delivery practices.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The report (PDF - 352KB) is available on the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health website. For further information regarding the report contact: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health, PO Box 41096, Casuarina NT 0811, ph: (08) 89228841.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) (2004)
NACCHO Community LIFE report.
Canberra: NACCHO

This report provides an overview of NACCHO's involvement in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community LIFE project. LIFE (Living is for Everyone) is the policy framework for the prevention of suicide and self harm in Australia. The report includes a description of partnerships developed, problems encountered, project outcomes and recommendations. It also outlines the context of issues such as grief, loss and trauma within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The report (HTML) is available on the NACCHO website. For further information regarding reproduction of the report contact: NACCHO CEO, ph: (02) 6282 7513.

Queensland Health (2004)
Guidelines for the planning, design and building of primary health care facilities in Indigenous communities
Brisbane: Queensland Health

The strategies and guidelines outlined in the report are intended to provide a framework for the planning, design and building of primary health care facilities in Indigenous communities in Queensland. They acknowledge that well designed, culturally appropriate facilities support the delivery of responsive, effective health care services.

Particular emphasis is placed on: effective communication; community involvement and ownership; cultural appropriateness; addressing the holistic needs of Indigenous communities; and environmental suitability and functionality.

The report includes design recommendations that provide specific examples of specifications and plans for primary health care facilities.

The report (PDF - 686KB) is available on the Queensland Health website. For further information regarding reproduction of the report contact: the Director, Capital Works Branch, Queensland Health, GPO Box 48, Brisbane QLD 4001.

Smith D (2004)
Community action to promote child growth in Gapuwiyak: final report on a participatory action research project.
Casuarina: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health

Poor growth among Indigenous children is a serious health issue in the Northern Territory. This report reviews the Improving Child Growth in the Northern Territory Project which was conducted from 2000 to 2002 in the remote north-east Arnhem Land community of Gapuwiyak. The Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) initiated this participatory action research project with funding from the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health (CRCATH).

The report outlines the rationale for adopting a community development approach that utilises a participatory action research (PAR) framework. It provides definitions of community development concepts, and details strengths and criticisms of the approach. It documents also the:

Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision (2004)
Report on Government services 2004: Indigenous compendium.
Melbourne: Productivity Commission

This annual report examines the performance of a range of services for which the government is responsible and accountable. It provides Indigenous specific data from the Report of Government Services which includes information on:

A general framework for performance indicators, developed by the Steering Committee, has been implemented in most chapters for the first time.

Taylor V, Ewald D, Liddle H, Warchivker I (2004)
Review of the implementation of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Program.
Canberra: Centre for Remote Health

The intention of the review was to determine the current state of the implementation of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Program (NATSIEHP). The report includes the program background and a summary of progress since previous recommendations were made. Other details include: the main eye conditions affecting Indigenous people; data collections; service delivery (including specialist services); and the availability and utilisation of equipment. Further recommendations suggest options for integrating the NATSIEHP into the primary health sector.

The report (PDF - 564KB) is available on the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health website. For information regarding reproduction of the report contact: National Mailing and Marketing, Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, ph: (02) 6269 1070.

Victorian Indigenous Family Violence Task Force (2003)
Victorian Indigenous Family Violence Task Force: final report.
Melbourne: Aboriginal Affairs Victoria

An independent Victorian Indigenous Family Violence Task Force was established in 2001 to lead the development of an Indigenous family violence strategy. This report provides a comprehensive overview of what the Task Force accomplished from 2001-2003. It describes membership of the Task Force, funding issues, community engagements and forums. It also documents progress towards key milestones and outlines the Task Force's Path Ahead Action Plan. The Action Plan details recommendations for a 'whole of government' response to implement a Victorian Indigenous Family Violence Strategy.

For information regarding reproduction of the report contact: Director, Planning and Development Branch, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria-Department for Victorian Communities, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000, ph: (02) 9208 3333.

Zubrick SR, Lawrence DM, Silburn SR, et al. (2004)
The Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey: the health of Aboriginal children and young people.
Perth: Telethon Institute for Child Health Research

This report is the first volume of findings from the Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey (WAACHS), one of the largest and most comprehensive investigations into the health and wellbeing of WA Aboriginal children, their families and communities. Survey details including the objectives, design and process are documented. The findings outline complex factors that contribute significantly to the health of Aboriginal children. This volume focuses on population characteristics, Aboriginal children's physical health status, use of health services, and recommendations for improving the health and future of Aboriginal children.