Week 12: Indigenous Australians

Question 1

What 3 criteria have been identified for indigenous Australians?

Answer 1

Of aboriginal or torres strait islander descent
Identify as aboriginal or torres strait islander decent
Accepted within the communities they live or have lived

Question 2

What unique things do indigenous people hold?

Answer 2

Social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from the dominant society

Question 3

What have indigenous Australians sought?

Answer 3

Recognition of their identities, way of life and their rights to traditional land and territories for years

Question 4

What common problems do indigenous Australians share?

Answer 4

Common problems are related to the protection of their rights and inequalities (such as health)

Question 5

What are indigenous Australians determined to do?

Answer 5

Determined to preserve, develop and transmit their ancestral territories and ethnic identity. Allows continued existence of people in accordance to own cultural values

Question 6

What percentage of the total Australian population is indigenous?

Answer 6

3. 3%

- Hundred of groups with their own languages, histories and cultures

Question 7

Among indigenous Australians, how many of them identify as aboriginal, torres strait islander or combined?

Answer 7

Aboriginal 91%
Torres Strait Islander 5%
Combined 4%

Question 8

What has been identified as central to indigenous well-being?

Answer 8

Culture is central

Question 9

What does language facilitate?

Answer 9

Plays a role in communicating and passing on cultural knowledge and practices. As well as contributing to a stronger sense of identify and belonging to community

Question 10

How many Australians speak an indigenous language as their main language?

Answer 10

11%

Question 11

Where are indigenous Australians more likely to live?

Answer 11

In urban or remote areas

Question 12

What is the average age of indigenous Australians?

Answer 12

23 years vs. 37.8 for non-indigenous Australians

Question 13

Why are there less indigenous Australians at the older segment of the population?

Answer 13

May be related to health inequalities, health care access and health determinants that lead to a lower life expectancy

Question 14

What does life expectancy not determine?

Answer 14

Ones quality of life

Question 15

What is the life expectancy of indigenous Australians in comparison to non-indigenous Australians?

Answer 15

Indigenous Australians live for almost 10 years less which is very concerning

Question 16

What are life expectancies and death rates used for?

Answer 16

They are widely used as indicators of population health

Question 17

Indigenous infant death rates?

Answer 17

Child deaths are significantly more prevalent in indigenous children in comparison to non-indigenous Australians

Question 18

What are the main causes of death in indigenous Australians?

Answer 18

Ischaemic heart disease

Diabetes

Question 19

Suicide rates in indigenous Australians?

Answer 19

Almost double than non-indigenous rates

Question 20

How many indigenous Australians had at least one chronic condition?

Answer 20

46% - almost half

Question 21

What are some mental health and behavioural conditions found in indigenous Australians in national health surveys ?

Answer 21

• Anxiety (17%)
• Depression (13%)
• Smoke daily (37%)
• Overweight/obese children (37%)

Question 22

What are some strategic directions for closing the gap in indigenous health?

Answer 22

Focussing on children, youth, families and communities

Strengthening community-controlled health

Improving access to and responsiveness of mental health care

Coordinating resources, programs, initiatives and planning

Improving data and research

Question 23

What doesn’t work when trying to close the gap in indigenous health care?

Answer 23

Failing to take into account indigenous values and circumstances

Not training and employing indigenous staff to contribute towards the design, implementation and delivery of health programs

Funding issues in health programs that lead to anger and disappointment in the system

Unclear leadership

Question 24

What is commonly focussed on with indigenous Australians?

Answer 24

Tendency to focus on deficits instead of strengths

Reorientation is needed

Question 25

What are the 3 important themes found in indigenous health and well-being research?

Answer 25

Family and community connection in constructing health beliefs

Health-seeking behaviours, mental health status and the importance of physical activity

Peers and other influences on social media (Motivates change and the development of attitudes and beliefs related to health and wellbeing - source of comparison for their own lives and motivation for self improvement)

Question 26

Is dementia significant among indigenous populations?

Answer 26

It is actually substantially higher in this population

Question 27

Indigenous people drink more - What are the usage determinants?

Answer 27

Younger age
Male gender
Employment status
Level of income Experience of unfair treatment

Question 28

What is the impact of alcohol use?

Answer 28

Significant adverse effects on the life satisfaction of indigenous Australians

Question 29

What is poor sleep associated with in indigenous Australians?

Answer 29

Increased CVD risk

Question 30

Do indigenous Australians have a larger proportion of sleep problems? why? And what can it do to health?

Answer 30

A large proportion have sleep problems

• Smoking and diabetes negatively impact on sleep
• Associated with increased cholesterol levels which puts them at greater risk of CVD

Question 31

Indigenous Australians in prison?

Answer 31

Although they only make up 3.3% of the population, they constitute 27% of the national prison population

Significant over representation

The gap has widened