HealthBulletin

Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin
Vol 4 No 4 October 2004 - December 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 and Torres Strait Islander Injury Prevention Action Committee (2004)
The draft national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander safety promotion strategy.
Canberra: National Public Health Partnership

This draft strategy was prepared under the direction of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Injury Prevention Advisory Committee (ATSIIPAC) and approved by the National Public Health Partnership (NPHP) for release for public consultation. The strategy was developed from the identified need for a systematic, public health approach to safety and injury prevention for Indigenous people. Underlying the strategy are two basic principles: the right to be safe; and the responsibility to promote and maintain the safety of others. A subset of six operational principles is described, these underpin all actions and were identified by consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The scope includes the following aspects of safety promotion: accidental injury; intentional self harm; violence; the need for safe environments and communities; and the need to feel safe. The main part of the document outlines: the local safety strategy and the health sector's commitment to a whole of government approach.

Australasia Economics (2004)
Key social and economic indicators for Indigenous Australia: a comparative analysis.
Canberra: Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination, Australian Government

The objectives of this study were to review and compare social and economic indicators derived from census data for Indigenous Australians with that of non-Indigenous Australians, and to examine progress made in challenging Indigenous disadvantage. The study concentrates on access to publicly financed services and other government initiatives intended to attain better outcomes for Indigenous Australians. It provides information on: the background and context of the study; population indicators; health and well-being; housing and infrastructure; education and training; employment; income; and study conclusions. To measure progress or the lack of it, the authors stress the importance of looking beyond national aggregates and averages to discover contrasts between regions.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Details of how to obtain the report (PDF - 13.56MB - large file warning!) are available on the Government services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples website

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2004)
Experimental estimates and projections, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics

This report details experimental estimates of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population from 1991 to 2001, based on the 2001 census. It also contains experimental projections of the Indigenous population for the period 2002 to 2009 (based on the 2001 census). The methods used to produce the estimates and projections are described. Information is provided on population demographics, births (with fertility and paternity data) and mortality, with some trend analysis. Individual State and Territory data are also provided and some regional comparisons are made.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Helps YLM, Harrison JE (2004)
Reported injury mortality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, 1997-2000.
Adelaide: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

This technical report includes results from an exploratory analysis of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander injury mortality data and is intended to inform and improve future statistical reports. It details the methodology and related issues, the findings and discussion. Due to variations in the quality of Indigenous data between states and territories, data are reported in two regions: Region A includes jurisdictions where ascertainment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status is thought to be relatively good; Region B includes jurisdictions where ascertainment is not as comprehensive. The mortality data demonstrate that Indigenous Australians experience much higher rates of injury mortality than the rest of the Australian population. Insights into patterns of occurrence may be applied to inform injury prevention strategies.

McGrath P, Watson J, Derschow B, Murphy S, Rayner R (2004)
Indigenous palliative care service delivery: a living model.
Darwin: Centre for Social Science Research, School of Nursing and Health, Central Queensland University

This report describes the development of a model for Indigenous palliative care based on research by the National Health and Medical Research Council within Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. Background to the development of the model includes a literature search, research methodology and the research findings. Principles for the model were guided by insights of the research participants which were then affirmed through a process of national peer-review. An outline of the model and details regarding the model in action are provided. Recommendations from the research focused on service improvement; support for patients and carers; improved communication; cross cultural education; and strategies for coping with grief and bereavement.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

National Public Health Partnership (2004)
Healthy children: strengthening promotion and prevention across Australia: development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander component of the National Public Health Action Plan for Children, 2005-2008: a background paper.
Melbourne: National Public Health Partnership

This background paper focuses on public health issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and sets out a framework as part of the National Public Health Action Plan for children 2005-2008. The aim of this paper was to stimulate discussion about the development of a national approach to the public health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. An overview of the evidence of the health disparities experienced by these children is presented, and important policy initiatives, relevant to the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are set out. This component of the action plan for children will aim to reflect the value of cultural identity, a holistic concept of health and healing, and will focus on children as part of an intergenerational concept of family.

Office of Aboriginal Health, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia (2004)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health promotion: pre-conference workshop, evaluation report.
Perth: Department of Health, Government of Western Australia

An Aboriginal health promotion workshop was held before the commencement of the Perth conference Partnerships for better health. It provided an opportunity for geographically isolated health professionals to share information about nutrition and physical activity, maternal and child health, smoking, injury, alcohol/drugs, family violence and sexual health. Workshop participants discussed key principles for best practice in Aboriginal health promotion. This report provides an evaluation of the workshop and outlines its history, rationale, objectives, and program. Participants perceived the workshop to be welcoming, respectful and culturally appropriate for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

For details of how to obtain the report contact: Office of Aboriginal Health, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, PO Box 8172, Perth Business Centre, Perth WA 6849, ph: 9222 4222

Shaw G, Biven A, Gray D, Mosey A, Stearne A, Perry J (2004)
An evaluation of the Comgas Scheme: they sniffed it and they sniffed it but it just wasn't there.
Canberra: Department of Health and Ageing

This report details an evaluation of the Comgas Scheme and investigates the safety and effectiveness of aviation fuel (Avgas) as an intervention to reduce petrol sniffing. The Comgas Scheme financially assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to substitute supplies of unleaded petrol with Avgas, which is not attractive to sniffers. The report includes the evaluation methodology, case studies and descriptions of health issues associated with petrol sniffing. The evaluation found that the intervention is an established, safe and effective method that is helping to reduce the harm caused by petrol sniffing in remote Indigenous communities. It was recommended that the scheme should be continued, promoted and strengthened, and that associated education material be further developed.

Smith JD (2004)
Australia's rural and remote health: a social justice perspective.
Croydon, Victoria: Tertiary Press

This book is aimed mainly at those undertaking studies in rural, remote and Indigenous health. Based on a social justice framework it presents stories, historical accounts and real life experiences about rural and remote health. There are many references to the Indigenous population and their health issues. It discusses factors that contribute to health status, and the difficulties and advantages of living in rural and remote areas.

The book explores values and priorities and uses evidence such as literature, personal accounts and the author’s own experiences to develop an overview of rural and remote health. Present approaches to health service delivery are questioned in the discussion of health inequities. The concluding chapter considers the future for rural communities.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For more information about the book contact: Tertiary Press, 12-50 Norton Road, Croydon, Victoria 3136.