Australian Indigenous

Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal. (2000).
Report of the Third National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers' Conference. Linking our future, 18th-20th October, 1999.
Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal, Sydney.

This report describes the Third National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers' Conference, held in Cairns, North Queensland, which brought together over 600 Indigenous health workers from all over Australia with allied health professionals, training providers and policy makers. The report details the program structure of the conference, including workshop and plenary sessions, and lists the 80 recommendations that resulted. Also included is an appendix, a progress report on response to the recommendations of the 1997 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers' Conference.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this report should be directed to: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Journal, PO Box 502, Marrickville, New South Wales, 2036; phone: (02) 9311 2593; fax: (02) 9311 2814.

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council. (1999).
Primary, secondary and tertiary health care services to Aboriginal communities.
Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council, Sydney.

This is the first of a monograph series by the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council. The aim of this publication is to provide support for expanding much-needed services within New South Wales and enhance autonomy and self-determination for Indigenous people, thus enabling communities to ameliorate ill health within Indigenous communities.

The monograph defines primary, secondary and tertiary health care as it relates to Aboriginal health and identifies providers of primary health care to Aboriginal communities. It includes an appendix on core functions of primary health care in Aboriginal community controlled health services.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this report should be directed to: The Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council, PO Box 1565, Strawberry Hills, New South Wales, 2012; phone: (02) 9698 1099.

Adams, K. (1999).
Strengthening Aboriginal health workers.
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Melbourne.

This highly successful Victorian Aboriginal Health Worker forum entitled 'Strengthening Aboriginal health workers' took place on 15 and 16 December 1998 in Marysville. Of the 25 VACCHO member organisations, 21 organisations were represented by the 57 Aboriginal health workers who attended the forum.

This was the first opportunity that Victorian Aboriginal health workers had had to come together in a long time. The objectives of the forum were to allow participants to discuss issues relating to: Who is an Aboriginal health worker in Victoria?, accredited training for Aboriginal health workers, issues for Aboriginal health workers, and strategies for VACCHO members to consider.

The information from this forum will assist in developing training for Aboriginal health workers in Victoria and give information to VACCHO members about Aboriginal health worker issues.
Author abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this report should be directed to: VACCHO, PO Box 1328, Collingwood, Victoria, 3066; phone: 03 9419 3350; fax: 03 9417 3871.

Adams, K., & Spratling, M. (1999).
Future directions for Aboriginal health worker training in Victoria. A report to VACCHO members about issues and considerations relating to the development of Aboriginal health worker training.
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, Melbourne.

Aboriginal health workers employed by Aboriginal community controlled health organisations in Victoria play a significant role in the delivery of health to Koori people. This report highlights the role of the Aboriginal health worker as a pivotal one in Aboriginal communities, as well as in the broader health care system. It debunks many myths about the nature and scope of health worker activities, and highlights the skills and competencies of the health workers themselves. The report demonstrates the strong commitment of Aboriginal health workers to the development of their role and to the provision of quality care for community members.

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), the representative body of the Aboriginal community controlled health organisations, has been instrumental in recognising the need for accredited training for Aboriginal health workers. This report presents the issues and options for health worker training, and provides VACCHO members with current information which will assist them to make decisions about delivery of training for Aboriginal health workers in Victoria. The significance of this report is that is emphasises the importance of supporting and developing the role of the Aboriginal health worker as the primary health care provider in Aboriginal community controlled health organisations.
Author abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this report should be directed to: VACCHO, PO Box 1328, Collingwood, Victoria, 3066; phone: 03 9419 3350; fax: 03 9417 3871.

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. (2000).
Guidelines for ethical research in Indigenous studies.
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra.

This report is the outcome of a review of the 1985 guidelines, undertaken by the Institute's Research Ethics Committee and research staff of the Institute. Two workshops were held in 1999 to develop new guidelines, which were redrafted by the research staff. The report lists the principles of ethical research in Indigenous studies (with a brief explanation of each principle), followed by a section outlining the guidelines for implementing each principle.

The principles of ethical research are based on respect for Indigenous peoples' right to self-determination and to the management and preservation of their culture and heritage. At all stages, the principles maintain that research with and about Indigenous people must be based on a purposeful and mutually beneficial relationship between researchers and Indigenous people.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Blagg, H., Ray, D., Murray, R., & Macarthy, E. (2000).
Crisis intervention in Aboriginal family violence. Strategies and models for Western Australia.
Perth: Crime Research Centre, University of Western Australia.

This report details five models of intervention strategies for Aboriginal family violence. The models provided are for the following areas: metropolitan, Kimberley town, northwest town, southwest rural, and remote Aboriginal community. Intervention strategies, developed in consultation with Aboriginal people, are based on the principle that interventions should, wherever possible, divert Aboriginal offenders from the criminal justice system. Family Violence Crisis Intervention Teams are central to the models of intervention and the structure of these teams is described for each model. The report also describes key elements of each intervention strategy and provides a flow chart of the strategy.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

To enquire about obtaining a copy of this report, contact the Crime Research Centre, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009.

Boughton, B. (2000).
What is the connection between Aboriginal education and Aboriginal health?
Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, Occasional Paper Series, Issue 2.

This Occasional Paper provides a brief overview of international findings regarding the association between education and health status. It considers the issues involved in undertaking this type of research within Indigenous Australian populations and concludes with suggestions for the conduct of research projects within the CRCATH Education and Health Research Program.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This paper is available from the CRC Website as an Adobe Acrobat pdf file.
Click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Campbell, S. (2000).
From her to maternity. A report to the VACCHO members and the Victorian Department of Human Services about maternity services for the Aboriginal women of Victoria.
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation and the Victorian Department of Human Services, Melbourne.

This report details recommendations for the distribution of Koori Maternity Services Program funds to Aboriginal health services, to enhance maternity services available to Victorian Koori women. These recommendations were developed following extensive consultations with community members from Victorian Koori communities and reflect available statistical data, community perceptions, and individual experiences.

Circumstances existing in and affecting Aboriginal communities in the project are described and the effects of significant historical and environmental factors on current circumstances are explained. Options for addressing barriers to service implementation are discussed, in the hope that Aboriginal community controlled maternity services can be managed in an effective, sustainable and culturally appropriate manner.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this report should be directed to: VACCHO, PO Box 1328, Collingwood, Victoria, 3066; phone: 03 9419 3350; fax: 03 9417 3871.

Clarke, A., Andrews, S., & Austin, N. (1999/2000).
Lookin' after our own: supporting Aboriginal families through the hospital experience.
Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, Melbourne.

This report tells the story of the Aboriginal Family Support Unit at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, through the eyes and experiences of the families and Aboriginal Health Workers. It includes a background to the state of Aboriginal health, the development of the Aboriginal Family Support Program, a description of the working model, experiences of families, and changing the hospital environment.

Having a working model deemed to be successful gave the impetus to share details of the model, to allow others to benefit. An important aspect of the working model is that it is always evolving and as such is reliant on advice, guidance and direction from the Aboriginal community. The authors believe that the model has helped many Aboriginal families cope with their fears about using hospitals and has helped build a bridge between the culture of a mainstream institution and the diverse cultures of Aboriginal families attending the hospital. The book is aimed at providing ideas for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians interested in improving the use of mainstream services by Aboriginal people.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this report should be directed to: The Aboriginal Family Support Unit, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052; phone: (03) 9345 5522.

Coade, S., & O'Leary, P. (1999).
Purro birik (healthy spirit). Discussion paper, Koori Mental Health Policy Project.
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and the Victorian Mental Health Branch, Melbourne.

The Purro Birik Koori Mental Health Policy Project commenced in October 1997, with the aim of consulting with Aboriginal communities and public mental health services to propose strategies to improve mental health services to Aboriginal people in Victoria. This discussion paper describes the project and the service delivery environment, summarises the issues raised throughout the consultation process, and recommends improvements based on the information provided and the outcome of the consultations.

The improvement strategies proposed through the consultation process can be classified into the following areas: local partnerships; coordination and planning; training; service development; and resourcing. These strategies provide the basis for the four categories of the 12 recommendations - workforce and services development issues, local partnership agreement issues, coordination and planning issues, and training issues.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this report should be directed to: VACCHO, PO Box 1328, Collingwood, Victoria, 3066; phone: 03 9419 3350; fax: 03 9417 3871.

Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care. (2000).
General practice in Australia: 2000.
Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, Canberra.

This book is an update of information from 'General practice in Australia: 1996'. Two chapters of the book are devoted to aspects of Indigenous health - the first describes Aboriginal community controlled health services and the need for community control in any development process for Aboriginal primary care services. Other issues that are discussed include the importance of training Indigenous people as doctors and the need for all doctors in training to receive some education about the cultural and clinical issues of Aboriginal health. The lack of reliable data sources regarding the provision of primary medical care services to Indigenous people is identified as both a hindrance and a priority for future research.

The second chapter regarding Indigenous health describes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coordinated care trials. Indigenous coordinated care trials are presented separately from others as they are structured differently and have a number of differences. In particular, they have a different relationship to general practice where general practice is an integral but not necessarily central component.

The book also has maps of locations of Aboriginal community controlled health services in each state.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining copies of this book should be directed to: The Office of the Medical Advisor, General Practice Branch, MDP71, Department of Health and Aged Care, GPO Box 9848, Canberra, ACT, 2601; email: GpInOz@health.gov.au.

Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health. (2000).
The Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health 1998-1999 annual report.
Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, Darwin.

The Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health is hosted by the Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin. The Centre is comprised of six core partners that bring together the expertise of Aboriginal and overnment health services and tertiary research institutions. Its mission is:

to provide a cross-cultural framework for strategic research, leading to evidence-based improvements in education and health practice, a more highly skilled health workforce, more effective health services, and reconciliation between Aboriginal and Western perspectives on health.

The 1998 -1999 annual report provides an overview of recent developments in the Centre's: organisational capacities; education and training functions; and research activities. Research activities are currently conducted under five major programs: Indigenous education research; resources and health services research; public health research; communications and information research; and biomedical research.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Any queries regarding this report should be directed to the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health at Menzies School of Health Research, PO Box 41096, Casuarina. NT, 0811. Tel: (08) 8922 7861. Email (Liz Williams): liz@menzies.edu.au. Other information on the Centre and its activities may be obtained from the CRCATH Website.

Marks, G., Nettheim, G., Pritchard, S., & Dodson, M. (2000).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Australia's obligations under the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Indigenous Law Centre, University of New South Wales and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), Sydney.

This ATSIC report addresses issues relating to the current situation on economic, social and cultural rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Included in this comprehensive report are sections on self-determination, native title, deaths in custody, mandatory sentencing, the stolen generations, employment, education, health, housing and heritage. The report draws attention to ATSIC's serious concerns that Australia may not be complying with its human rights obligations in respect to Indigenous peoples.
Australian HealthInfoNet abstract

Meyerhoff, G. (2000).
Injecting drug use in urban Indigenous communities: a literature review with a particular focus on the Darwin area.
Danila Dilba Medical Service, Darwin.

This literature review is part of the Danila Dilba Youth Project, an action research project being undertaken by the Danila Dilba Medical Service in Darwin, Northern Territory. The project targets Indigenous people aged between 12 and 25 years who are either injecting drugs or at risk of injecting drugs and is aimed at identifying and addresssing the needs of this group of people. The review forms part of stage one of the project, which attempts to identify projects and research already completed.

The review gives an outline of the current national situation, linked with the major themes of the project. This review of assistance to people working with young Indigenous people in Aboriginal community controlled organisations or in mainstream drug or youth agencies and is designed for people who are not aware of Indigenous health issues.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this report should be directed to: Danila Dilba Medical Service Education and Training Centre, GPO Box 2125, Darwin, NT 0801; web: http://www.daniladilba.org.au.

National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health. (2000).
Master of Applied Epidemiology (Indigenous health). Report for February 1998 to March 2000.
Canberra: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.

This report describes the development of the Master of Applied Epidemiology (Indigenous health) Program from its conception in 1993 to its inception in 1998 when the first cohort of students commenced their studies. Advisory board, staff and course details are provided as are student profiles for both the 1998 and 1999 cohorts. The first cohort of students have recently graduated and all have secured jobs in Indigenous health that are commensurate with their qualifications.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Any queries regarding this report should be directed to the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, M Block, Mills Road, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200. Tel: (02) 6249 2378. Other information on the Program may be obtained from the NCEPH website.

National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research. (1999).
HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and sexually transmissible infections in Australia. Annual surveillance report 1999.
National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Sydney.

This report is the third annual review of available surveillance data pertaining to the occurrence of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and sexually transmissible infections in Australia. It is intended to be a reference document for organisations and individuals interested in the occurrence of these infectious diseases in Australia, drawing together relevant data from many sources into a single comprehensive report. Data relating to Indigenous Australians show that the pattern of HIV infections differs between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, with a higher proportion of infections occurring among women (comprising 26% of Indigenous cases and only 8% of non-Indigenous cases). High rates of sexually transmissible infections other than HIV were recorded in those States or Territories where information was complete.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The full text report is available as an Adobe Acrobat pdf file. Click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this report should be directed to: The National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, 376 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, 2010; phone: (02) 9332 4648; fax: (02) 9332 1837; email: recept@nchecr.unsw.edu.au.

Ridolfo, B., Serafino, S., Somerford, P., & Codde, J. (2000).
Health measures for the population of Western Australia: trends and comparisons.
Health Department of Western Australia, Perth.

This report from the Health Department of Western Australia includes a chapter on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The topics discussed are health risk factors, demographics, life expectancy, mortality, infant mortality and low birthweight, cardiovascular disease, injury and poisoning, other conditions, access to and use of health services, and health prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Due to the incomplete identification of Indigenous people in data collections, most of the Western Australian Indigenous data are compared with data from South Australia and Northern Territory, the only two other jurisdictions where collections are deemed adequate for analysis by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

To enquire about obtaining a copy of this report, contact the Health Information Centre, Health Department of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6000.

Tsey, K., & Every, A. (2000).
Evaluation of an Aboriginal empowerment program.
Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health. Occasional Paper Series, Issue 1.

The findings of an Aboriginal empowerment program evaluation are outlined in this Occasional Paper. A Family Wellbeing course was conducted in Alice Springs between March 1998 and April 1999 in response to increased numbers of suicides and suicide attempts among Aborignal youth in the region. Developed by a group of Aboriginal people employed with the South Australian Education Department, the aim of the personal empowerment course was to assist participants to exert greater control over their lives by addressing the effects of settler colonisation on the emotional health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians.

Personal empowerment was facilitated through a range of training techniques designed to improve participants parenting capabilities and relationship skills. The course evaluation included a brief literature review, participant observation, and analysis of participant evaluation sheets and narratives. The findings of the evaluation demonstrated that participant application of the principles, life skills and problem solving capacities aquired in the course brought about positive changes in the emotional and social health of the participants themselves and other young people around them. The methodological challenges associated with this area of research are also discussed.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

This paper is available from the CRC Website as an Adobe Acrobat pdf file. Click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Co-op. Ltd. (2000).
Study of young people's health and well-being: the strengths of young Kooris.
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Co-op. Ltd., Melbourne.

This report, one of a series describing the results of a study of the health and wellbeing of young Koori people, focuses on the strengths and protective factors existing for young Koori people. Eighty people aged between 12 and 26 years took part in focus group discussions and 15 key community people were interviewed. Questionnaires and health checks (for hepatitis B and C, HIV and STDs) were also conducted, with 174 people participating in these.

The strengths of young Koori people are illustrated by quotes from participants, describing the importance of family, friends, identity, aspirations, responsibility, sport and recreation, and connection with the Koori community and culture.

'It's like a jigsaw. You've got one piece being your family, another being your country, the other being your community. And if you put them all together the picture will look like you. If there is a missing piece the picture of the person is incomplete.'
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract