Week Twelve - ATSI Health

Question 1

Explain the key concepts of Indigenous Peoples? (7)

Answer 1

• Inheritors and practitioners of unique culture
• Unique social, cultural, economic and political characteristics
• Shared common problems
• Historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies
• Distinct from other sectors of the dominant society
• Non-dominant sectors of society
• Preserve, develop and transmit their ancestral territories and ethnic identity

Question 2

What is an Indigenous Australian?

Answer 2

Someone who:

• Is of ATSI descent
• Identifies as ATSI
• Is accepted within the communities they live or have lived

Question 3

What percentage of Australians are Indigenous?

Answer 3

3.3%

Question 4

Among Indigenous Australians, how many identify as A, TSI or combined?

Answer 4

A = 91%
TSI = 5%
Combined = 4%

Question 5

What is central to Indigenous wellbeing?

Answer 5

Culture

Question 6

What is key to maintaining and passing cultural knowledge?

Answer 6

Indigenous languages are key to maintaining and passing cultural knowledge

Question 7

How many Indigenous Australians speak an indigenous language as their first language?

Answer 7

11%

Question 8

Where are Indigenous Australians more likely to live?

Answer 8

In rural and remote areas

Question 9

What is the average age of Indigenous Australians

Answer 9

23 years

37.8 years non non-Indigenous Australians

Question 10

Why is there less Indigenous Australians at the older segment of the population?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What is the life-expectancy for Indigenous Australian males and females? How different is this to non-Indigenous Australians

Answer 11

71.6 and 75.6

Live almost 10 years less than non-Indigenous Australians

Question 12

What are life expectancies and death rates used for?

Answer 12

They are widely used as indicators of population health

Question 13

Explain the death rate for Indigenous Australians compared to non- Indigenous Australians

Answer 13

Death rate for Indigenous Australians was almost twice the rate for non-Indigenous Australians in 2018

Question 14

What are the main causes of death in Indigenous Australians

Answer 14

Ischaemic heart disease
Diabetes
Heart Disease

Question 15

Explain the difference in suicide rates for Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians

Answer 15

Indigenous Australians rate almost double that of non-Indigenous Australians

Question 16

How many Indigenous Australians had at least one chronic condition?

Answer 16

46%

Question 17

What are some mental health and behavioural conditions experienced by Indigenous Australians?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

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

Answer 18

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 19

What doesn’t work when trying to close the gap in Indigenous Australians health?

Answer 19

Failing to take account of Indigenous Australians values and complex circumstances

Failing to train and employ Indigenous Australians to contribute toward design, implementation and delivery of health programs

Funding issues in health programs

Unclear leadership of governance

Lack of research, evaluation and monitoring

Question 20

What is commonly focussed on with Indigenous Australians?

Answer 20

Tendency to focus on deficits instead of strengths

Question 21

What do we need to orientate our focus on?

Answer 21

Capacity building, resilience and cultural vitality

Question 22

What is Capacity Building?

Answer 22

Providing opportunities for Indigenous Australians

Question 23

What are the 3 important themes found in Indigenous Australians health and wellbeing research in what it means to be healthy?

Answer 23

Family and community connection in constructing health beliefs (eg. eating together).

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

Peers and other influencers on social media (motivated change)

Question 24

Dementia and Indigenous Australians

Answer 24

Higher in Indigenous Australians than non-Indigenous Australians

Question 25

What are the determinants of drinking alcohol in Indigenous Australians

Answer 25

younger age
male
employment status 
level of income
unfair treatment experiences

Question 26

What are the consequences of alcohol use in Indigenous Australians?

Answer 26

Adverse effects on life satisfaction

Poorer mental health

Behavioural disorders

Question 27

What is poor sleep associated with in Indigenous Australians

Answer 27

Increased risk of CVD, metabolic syndrome

Question 28

Why do Indigenous Australians have poorer sleep?

Answer 28

Due to smoking and diabetes

Question 29

What % do Indigenous Australians make up of the prison population?

Answer 29

27%