Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin
Vol 7 No 2 April 2007 - June 2007: ISSN 1445-7253

A peer-reviewed electronic journal from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Reports and 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 Institute of Health and Welfare (2006)
Drug use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: an assessment of data sources.
Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
View report
View website: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
View website: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

This report was commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) on behalf of the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (MCDS). The objectives were to: identify data needs; examine existing data sources to determine the landscape of Indigenous substance use and its impacts across Australia; inform the best way forward to improved Indigenous data collections; explore the practicality of development of an ongoing Indigenous (drug specific) survey supplement to existing surveys; and identify options for new, policy-relevant analyses of existing data sets. The findings of this report are expected to feed into a broader National Drug Strategy Data Analysis Project with the aim of identifying and analysing the information needed to inform the implementation and measurement of initiatives developed under the National Drug Strategy.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details
    • Department of Health and Ageing, Central Office postal address, GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, ph: (02) 6289 1555, freecall: 1800 020 103, fax: (02) 6281 6946, email: enquiries@health.gov.au

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2006)
National Advisory Group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Information and Data: strategic plan 2006-2008.
Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
View report (HTML)
View report (PDF - 440KB)
View website: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

This report sets out the priorities of the National Advisory Group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Information and Data, for 2006-2008, with the aim of improving the availability and quality of statistical information. Four priority areas are identified: approaches to health information, development, collection and use; priorities for information development; analytical work; and key statistical reports.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • To obtain the report:
    • Available online: ISBN-13 978 1 74024 622 4; ISBN-10 1 74024 622 5; AIHW cat. no. IHW 19; 44pp.; Free
      View information
    • Phone, fax or email orders to: AIHW, ph: (02) 6244 1032, fax: (02) 6244 1045, email: pubs@aihw.gov.au
  • Contact details:
    • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 26 Thynne Street, Fern Hill Park, Bruce ACT, GPO Box 570, Canberra ACT 2601, ph: 02 6244 1000, fax 02 6244 1299, email: info@aihw.gov.au

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2006)
State owned and managed Indigenous housing 2005–06: Commonwealth State housing agreement national data reports.
Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
View report (PDF - 274KB)
View website: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

This report presents an overview of state owned and managed Indigenous housing assistance, and on the dwellings managed by state government agencies under the 2003 Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA). Data are presented from the state owned and managed Indigenous housing 2005–06 collection under each of the eleven performance indicators of the CSHA.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • To purchase the report: ISBN 1 74024 643 8; AIHW Cat. No. HOU 154; 54pp.; $26.00
    • To purchase online: select publication, click on 'add to order' and pay by credit card
      View information
    • To purchase offline phone, fax or email orders to: CanPrint, ABN 65 079 915 932, ph: 1300 889 873, fax: 02 6293 8333, email: sales@infoservices.com.au
  • Contact details:
    • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 26 Thynne Street, Fern Hill Park, Bruce ACT, GPO Box 570, Canberra ACT 2601, ph: 02 6244 1000, fax 02 6244 1299, email: info@aihw.gov.au



Australian Medical Association (2007)
Institutionalised inequity, not just a matter of money.
Canberra: Australian Medical Association
View report (HTML)
View report (PDF - 1.69MB - large file warning!)
View good news report (PDF - 2.52KB)
View website: Australian Medical Association

The Australian Medical Association's annual report card describes the tragic state of health and lack of services for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders. This year's focus is on access barriers to health care as a major contributor to continuing poor health outcomes for Indigenous people, these include financial, geographic, personal and cultural barriers.

The Report Card also relays The Good News with stories of Indigenous health programs around the country, including:

  • A family home visiting program for parents and carers of newborn children (South Australia)
  • Sharing the true stories - aimed at improving communication between patients and health staff (Northern Territory)
  • The Katherine West Health Board, a community controlled program that ‘pools’ Federal and NT Government funding to provide more efficient and culturally appropriate service delivery (Northern Territory)
  • Healthy heart cardiac rehabilitation program - Wuchopperen Health Service has improved Indigenous patient participation rates in cardiac rehabilitation and treatment programs (Queensland)

The AMA calls for more funding, services and programs and for discrimination to be removed from the health system.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • For further information
  • Contact details:
    • Australian Medical Association, 42 Macquarie Street, Barton ACT 2600, PO Box 6090, Kingston ACT 2604, ph: 02 6270 5400, fax: 02 6270 5499, email: ama@ama.com.au



Berry JG, Nearmy DM, Harrison JE (2007)
Injury of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people due to transport, 1999-00 to 2003-04. (AIHW Catalogue no. INJCAT 100)
Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
View report (PDF - 724KB)
View website: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

This report presents and evaluates data relating to deaths and serious injury of Indigenous people due to transport accidents in the four jurisdictions: Northern Territory; Western Australia; South Australia; and Queensland, for five years 1999-00 to 2003-04. Variables such as mode of transport, gender, age group and remoteness from an urban centre are examined.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • To obtain the report: ISBN 13-978-1-74024-682-8, AIHW catalogue no. INJ 100; 71pp Free.
  • Contact details:
    • James Harrison, Research Centre for Injury Studies, Flinders University of South Australia, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001, ph: (08) 8201 7602
  • Further information:

Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council (2007)
Improving the capacity of workers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to recognise and respond to mental illness and related alcohol and other drug issues: background report.
Sydney: Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council
View report (PDF - 1.19MB - large file warning!)
View website: Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council

The Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council (CS&HISC) have developed training resources and support materials to improve the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers to recognise and respond to mental illness and alcohol and other drug issues. This report describes the background to the project and its progress to date.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • The Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council, GPO Box 9848, Sydney NSW, 2001, ph: (02) 9263 2589, fax: (02) 9263 3599, email: admin@cshisc.com.au

Delahunty B, Putt J (2006)
Good practice framework: policing illicit drugs in rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
View report (PDF - 285KB)
View website: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
View website: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

This guide has been developed to assist police and police organisations who are interested in reviewing their approaches to illicit drug use and drug-related harms in Indigenous rural and remote communities. The advice and materials focus on opportunities to improve policing through the use of strategic policies and programs, local district and regional area planning and individual police practices. The aim is to provide good practice materials that can be adapted to suit particular locations and organisational and jurisdictional priorities.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Delahunty B, Putt J (2006)
The policing implications of cannabis, amphetamine and other illicit drug use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
View report (PDF - 703KB)
View website: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
View website: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

This report highlights the issues associated with the policing of cannabis, amphetamine and other illicit drug use in Indigenous rural and remote communities. It also focuses on the role of police in their endeavour to reduce drug-related harm.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Manne R (comp.) (2006)
The stolen generations: a documentary collection.
Brisbane: ANTaR Qld Association Inc.
View report (PDF - 676KB)
View website: ANTAR - Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation

This documentary collection was compiled before the debate at the Melbourne Writers’ Festival on 3 September 2006 on the question of the stolen generations. It contains a selection of documents from government archives and includes some testimonies from those who were involuntarily removed from their families and communities.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • ANTAR - Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, PO Box 1176, Rozelle NSW 2039, ph: (02) 95556138, fax: (02) 95556991, email: antar@antar.org.au

Morgan Disney and Associates Pty Ltd (2006)
A red tape evaluation in selected Indigenous communities, final report.
Canberra: Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination
View report (PDF - 1.1 MB - large file warning!)
View website: Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination

This report evaluates the actual and perceived burden of red tape on Indigenous organisations. It concludes that red tape is created at the operational level in the process of translating the accountability framework into departmental and local practices. By incorporating common sense and flexibility into existing frameworks and legislation many of the frustrations experienced by Indigenous organisations would be avoided.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • The Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination (OPIC), Lovett Tower, Keltie Street, Woden ACT 2606, PO Box 17, Woden ACT 2606, ph: (02) 6121 4000, fax: (02) 6281 0772

National Health and Medical Research Council (2006)
Keeping research on track: a guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples about health research ethics.
Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council
View report
View website: National Health and Medical Research Council

This guide provides information about how to ensure that research undertaken in Aboriginal communities respects shared values, is relevant to Aboriginal priorities, needs and aspirations and develops long term ethical relationships with the researchers, institutions and sponsors of projects. The guide also outlines the research journey: building relationships; conceptualisation – thinking; development and approval; data collection and management; analysis – looking at the meaning; report writing; dissemination and learning from the research experience.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details
    • National Health and Medical Research Council, GPO Box 1421, Canberra ACT 2601, ph: 13 000 64672 or (02) 6217 9000, fax: (02) 6217 9100, email: nhmrc@nhmrc.gov.au

Newell S, Franks A, Lloyd D, Telford G, Binge C (2006)
Koori fathering program: pilot phase evaluation report.
Lismore, NSW: North Coast Area Health Service
View report (PDF - 467KB)
View website: North Coast Area Health Service, NSW Health

The Koori Fathering Program emerged from a demand from local Koori men and organisations to provide information and training on improving skills and relationships. The 15 week course was held in 2002 and 2003 and comprehensively evaluated as a pilot program. This evaluation report outlines how the program was successful in engaging Aboriginal fathers and improving their knowledge, attitudes, skills, practices and family relationships.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • Health Promotion Unit, Population Health, Planning and Performance Directorate, North Coast Area Health Service, P.O. Box 498, Lismore NSW 2480, ph: (02) 6620 7501, fax: (02) 6622 2151, email: donnas@nrahs.nsw.gov.au

Newton King M (2006)
The relevance of an accredited Australian diabetes educators association course to Aboriginal health workers, supervisors and Aboriginal people in South Australia.
Casuarina, NT: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health
View report
View executive summary
View website: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health

This report describes the success factors and barriers for diabetes prevention and management among Indigenous people. It includes evaluation of whether a Flinders University course in diabetes education impacted upon the level of diabetes health care given by Aboriginal health workers. Recommendations for community-based action research are provided.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • 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

Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (2006)
Partnerships Queensland: future directions framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy in Queensland 2005-2010, baseline report 2006.
Brisbane: Department of Communities, Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
View report (PDF - 1.03MB - large file warning!)
View website: Department of Communities, Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

The first stage of the Partnerships Queensland initiative is detailed in this report which describes the delivery of improvements to the quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders. It provides the baseline from which future progress can be measured as monitoring trends in key indicators of well being is one of the keys to developing targeted and prioritised programs and interventions to address disadvantage.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • Department of Communities, Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, PO Box 15397, City East, QLD 4002, fax: (07) 3404 3531, email: atsip@communities.qld.gov.au

Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (2006)
Partnerships Queensland: implementation progress report 2006.
Brisbane: Department of Communities, Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
View report (PDF - 633KB)
View website: Department of Communities, Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

Progress on the Partnerships Queensland initiative is provided in this report on recent government action for lasting improvements to the quality of life for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The implementation of the initiative is aimed at driving coordination and cooperation between governments and Indigenous communities and enable sound decision making and effective service delivery at all levels.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • Department of Communities, Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, PO Box 15397, City East, QLD 4002, fax (07) 3404 3531, email: atsip@communities.qld.gov.au

Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination (2006)
Indigenous affairs arrangements.
Canberra: Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
View report (PDF - 4.2MB - large file warning!)
View website: Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination

The Indigenous affairs arrangement is the Australian Government's approach to reforms and reshaping of the delivery of services to Indigenous people. A strategic whole of government approach has been taken across all agencies to achieve coordination. Indigenous programs will be linked with mainstream services and will be implemented with flexiblity in response to local needs.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination, PO Box 17, Woden, ACT 2606, ph: (02) 6121 4000, fax: (02) 6281 0772

Oxfam Australia (2007)
Close the gap: solutions to the Indigenous health crisis facing Australia.
Fitzroy, VIC: Oxfam Australia
View report (PDF - 0.98MB - large file warning!)
View website: Oxfam Australia

This report analyses national information published by the National Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisation, that highlights the ongoing legacy of colonisation for Aboriginal peoples of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States of America (USA). It reports on the disparities that exist for life expectancy in these four countries between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details
    • Oxfam Australia, 156 George St, Fitzroy VIC, 3065, ph (03) 9289 9444

Rivalland P (2006)
'It's more than machines and medicine: they should understand there's a Yanangu way': Yanangu providing their own kidney dialysis services as Indigenous people from the Western Desert, Central Australia: summary report.
Casuarina, NT: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health
View report (PDF - 1.23MB - large file warning!)
View website: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health

This report provides a snapshot of the services of the charity Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku and the ways it is enabling Indigenous patients to access dialysis in their home communities. A program has been established to reduce social dislocation and address the problems of leaving land and family when faced with end stage renal disease.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • 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

Robinson G, Tyler B (2006)
Ngaripirliga'ajirri: an early intervention program on the Tiwi Islands, final evaluation report.
Casuarina, NT: School for Social and Policy Research, Charles Darwin University
View report (PDF - 3.95MB - large file warning!)
View website: Charles Darwin University

This is the final evaluation report concerning Ngaripirliga-ajirri, an Indigenous version of Exploring Together a targeted program for children and parents focusing on children's social skills and parenting management training. The report describes: the development and implementation of the Tiwi adaptation of the program; comprehensive findings concerning program outcomes; and the evaluation techniques.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • School for Social and Policy Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin NT 0909, ph: 08 8946 6666, fax: 08 8927 0612

Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs (2006)
Australian Government response to the House of Representatives inquiry into substance abuse in Australian communities - Road to recovery: report on the inquiry into substance abuse in Australian communities.
Canberra: Australian Government
View report (PDF - 432KB)
View website: Parliament of Australia, House of Representatives

The House of Representatives conducted a three year inquiry into substance abuse in Australian society. The inquiry culminated in a report entitled Road to Recovery: Report on the inquiry into substance abuse in Australian communities. There were a number of recommendations for: the prevention and treatment for alcohol misuse and illicit drug abuse; health care; and families and communities. This report details the response, highlights the significance of drug abuse in Australia and provides a valuable insight into community concerns.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details
    • Committee Secretary, Standing Committee on Family and Human Services House of Representatives, PO Box 602, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600, ph: (02) 6277 4566, fax: 61 2 6277 4844, email: fhs.reps@aph.gov.au

Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision (2007)
Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage: key indicators 2007: report.
Canberra: Productivity Commission
View report (PDF - 4.1MB - large file warning!)
View report (HTML)
View overview (PDF - 2.7MB - large file warning!)
View website: Productivity Commission

 The Council of Australian Governments commissioned the Steering Committee for the Review of Commonwealth Service Provision in 2002 to provide regular reports against key indicators of Indigenous disadvantage. In 2007, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to 'closing the outcomes gap between Indigenous people and other Australians over a generation'. This report (third in the series) provides indicators of Indigenous disadvantage, with a focus on areas where governments can make a difference.

This publication reports on seven strategic areas for action:

  • early childhood development and growth;
  • early school engagement and performance;
  • positive childhood and transition to adulthood;
  • substance use and misuse;
  • functional and resilient families and communities;
  • effective environmental health systems;
  • and economic participation and development.

The report consists of three parts:

  • the overview, which summarises the report’s key messages
  • the main report, which provides more detailed information and the evidence base supporting the framework and choice of indicators
  • the tables, which include data used in the report (published on the review website)

The report documents that some outcomes have deteriorated, including Indigenous people’s involvement with the criminal justice system. Many environmental and behavioural risk factors that contribute to poor health outcomes have not improved. There were improvements reported in some of the economic indicators, such as home ownership and employment rates and in some child health outcomes. For some indicators where there have been improvements outcomes for non-Indigenous people have also improved, meaning a gap in outcomes persists.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Van Beurden E, Newell S, Hughes D, Franks A, Binge C, et al. (2006)
Reconnecting families program: training phase evaluation report.
Lismore, NSW: North Coast Area Health Service
View report (PDF - 301KB)
View website: North Coast Area Health Service

The Reconnecting Families Program was developed in response to demands from local Aboriginal organisations to improve the wellbeing of their communities with a specific focus on providing training skills around parenting and relationships. A team of workers from relevant professions will be responsible for implementing the program and an initial 4-day training phase was developed for delivering the 15 week course. This report of the evaluation of the training phase includes details of measured indicators of the processes, their impacts and felt or expected outcomes for the workers. The training phase resulted in workers obtaining information and personal insight and developing the skills and confidence to conduct the program within their communities. Recommendations are provided for the content and process of future training workshops.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

  • Contact details:
    • Health Promotion Unit, Population Health, Planning and Performance Directorate, North Coast Area Health Service, PO Box 498, Lismore NSW 2480, ph: (02) 6620 7500, fax: (02) 6622 2151, email: lmcph@ncahs.nsw.gov.au
 
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Last updated: 2 August, 2007