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This section provides recent reference details and - where available - links and abstracts for general publications associated with eye health issues among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. References include journal articles, reports, theses, and other literature. To access our complete database please use our bibliography.
The revised edition of Reform and resistance in Aboriginal education reflects on the challenges and achievements that have occurred for both teachers and students in this significant area of education since the book's original release in 2003. The chapter, The impact of health on the education of Indigenous children, reviews the specific health issues currently affecting Indigenous children, and how these issues impact on their education. The chapter provides a summary of key indicators of Indigenous health status.
Prevalent issues and indicators discussed include:
Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability: wellbeing, participation and support report reviews the experiences of Indigenous people with disability compared with Indigenous people without disability, and all Australians with similar severity of disability. The report examines the key areas of: employment; housing; education; health; wellbeing and access to services and support for Indigenous people with disability.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This paper summarises the findings of the 2008 National Indigenous eye health survey and presents data from the National Trachoma Surveillance and Reporting Unit, Medicare, hospital data collections and case studies.
The major findings include:
Research suggests that improved vision is associated with provision of eye services by the community-controlled sector and that well coordinated services are more productive, have shorter waiting lists and save money.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This overview is a summary of Indigenous health and welfare at the national level. Topics covered include:
The report compares Indigenous statistics to the non-Indigenous statistics on the same health and welfare issues and provides time series data where available. It relates the picture of Indigenous health and welfare to the goals set by the Council of Australian Governments and the raft of measures under Closing the gap agreement aimed at reducing the health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. For the first time, the report looks at the impact of chronic diseases on the life expectancy gap, currently estimated to be 12 years for men and 10 years for women. It shows that about 80% of the mortality gap can be attributed to chronic diseases, most significantly heart diseases (22%), diabetes (12%) and liver diseases (11%).
The report is accompanied by nine online papers on specific topics, available from the Indigenous observatory: Indigenous life expectancy and mortality, child safety, eye health, disability, access to health services, chronic disease and older people.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This factsheet was produced by the Victorian Department of Health. It provides a summary of what the Department is doing to address eye and ear health for Aboriginal individuals, families and communities in Victoria.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This report summarises a study which determines the direct medical and associated non-medical costs of providing full access to eye care services for Indigenous people focusing on three main eye problems; cataract, refractive error, and diabetic retinopathy. Methods were developed in the study to estimate resources currently spent on these services and estimate what extra resources are needed to Close the gap for vision for Indigenous people for each state and territory in the next five years.
The report is part of a series produced by the Indigenous Eye Health Unit, University of Melbourne, following the National Indigenous eye health survey and Access to eye health services among Indigenous Australians reports.
Abstract adapted from the University of Melbourne
This report documents the history of Indigenous eye health policy-making in Australia from the late 1970s' National trachoma and eye health program to the present time, with the aim of providing evidence to assist the Australian Government and the Council of Australian Governments in the system reform of Indigenous eye health. By undertaking a review of literature in the area of Indigenous eye health, and interviewing key stakeholders, the report:
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This report is the third part in a series produced by the Indigenous Eye Health Unit at the University of Melbourne, following from the National Indigenous eye health survey report and Access to eye health services among Indigenous Australians. The report makes important recommendations for policy change in eye and vision health across all levels of government in Australia. Each policy recommendation is explained, all possible outcomes are explored, and costings presented clearly. There is also a 'recommendation implementation map' with a timeline for actioning of each recommendation.
Importantly, the report dispels some common myths about Indigenous eye and vision health: poor vision and blindness are the third leading cause of the health gap among Indigenous populations (after cardiovascular disease and diabetes) and increase mortality rates 2.6 times, much of it due to increased risk of injury. Indigenous Australian adults have blindness rates six times the rate of the mainstream; and, although 94% of vision loss is preventable and treatable, 35% of all adults have never had an eye exam. This report represents an important contribution to policy debates.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
Australia's health 2010 was released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare as the twelfth edition of its biennial national health report. The report shows that Australia is one of the healthiest nations in the world, with most Australians generally have good health and access to a range of good health care services, but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to have much poorer health than the general population.
Health information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is included in various sections of the report but particularly in chapter 5.1 which compiles information about demographic profiles, health status, disability rates and service use. The section highlights that Indigenous Australians are continuing to die at much younger ages than non-Indigenous Australians. Indigenous Australians also continue to have a greater disease burden, higher rates of disability and a lower quality of life than other Australians. The section concludes with information on behaviours and health risk factors that shape the health status of Indigenous peoples such as tobacco use, alcohol misuse, illicit drug use, and housing conditions.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This report details the findings of the National Indigenous Eye Health Survey which was conducted in 2008 to define:
The survey was designed to plan and prioritise the effective delivery of eye care for Indigenous people. Overall 2,883 Indigenous people were examined. The report records the extent of eye health problems such as refractive error, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, blindness and trachoma.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This summary of results from the 2004-05 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey provides information about health status, health actions, and lifestyle factors, of Indigenous peoples. There are comparisons with the 1995 and 2001 National Health Surveys and the 2002 National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Social Survey.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This report is the second national summary of 56 health performance indicators for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The indicators have been developed to monitor whether the health of Indigenous people is improving, and to highlight problem areas and priorities. Although information is given for separate states and territories, the relatively poor quality of current Indigenous health data makes comprehensive comparisons impossible.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
The National framework for action to promote eye health and prevent avoidable blindness and vision loss (National eye health framework) was developed in response to World Health Assembly resolution WHA 56.26 which calls on all member countries to develop national vision plans to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020.
The National eye health framework aims to provide a blueprint for nationally coordinated action by governments, health professionals, non-government organisations, industry and individuals to work in partnership to reduce the incidence of avoidable vision loss in Australia. It does not focus on any one specific eye condition, but rather seeks to address the underlying issues common to the prevention and treatment of eye disease and vision loss in general. The Framework sets out strategies in the following key areas for action:
The Framework document is accompanied by a background paper entitled Eye health in Australia which provides background information about eye disease in Australia, including the prevalence of eye disease and injury, current treatment options and the economic and social impact of blindness and vision loss. It also provides an overview of the international and national policy context, information about the Australian eye health workforce, major eye health programs and services and related public health strategies.
Department of Health and Ageing abstract
Helping to 'close the gap' by providing the evidence base to inform practice and policy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
