The Gap Between Aboriginal Childbearing Women And Their Non Aboriginal Counterparts

Thank you for taking time to read my letter. As a nursing student of University of Technology Sydney, I studied contemporary indigenous subject this semester. In this letter I want to illustrate 3 main social determinants of health that impact indigenous Australian health which I found and analysed during my recently study. And also offer some suggestion that could help the government improve aboriginal Australian mental health conditions in the future.

Jones (2012) explains that if the baby died during birth or pregnancy the baby was not considered a being, and if the baby survived, Indigenous men would hold ceremonies to establish the baby as a ‘being’. When the baby was birthed the umbilical cord would be severed by a sharp stone and the placenta would be buried. The Policy of Assimilation (1961) noted that more research into Aboriginal health was needed and Aboriginals’ required education in regards to pre-natal and post-natal care. The ministers felt that bush birthing was not hygienic and risky to health of mother and baby. Jones (2012) Ascertains that almost every aspect of Indigenous Australians lives was controlled by the state, and because of this some Aboriginal women would attempt to stay away from the authorities, and give birth in the bush quietly so as the baby would not be seized and removed. With the authorities upholding the power over Indigenous populations, this destroyed the traditional rituals that surrounded childbirth, the state government authorities saw themselves with the best of intentions, but did not take into account the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing and the traditions of the Indigenous

Australia is considered one of the safest and best countries to live (OECD, 2016). For instance, Australia exhibits higher life expectancies (80.3 years for males and 84.5 years for females), lower mortality rates (5.4 per 1000 live births), high-quality education and health practices and many employment opportunities (ABS, 2015). However, there are wide disparities in life expectancy, mortality rates, heath outcomes, education and employment for indigenous people (Holland, 2014).For example, life expectancy at birth for indigenous population is 10.6 years lower than that of the non-indigenous male population and 9.5 years for females (ABS, 2015). The mortality rate for the indigenous

Two parallel health care systems exist: a publicly funded health care accessible to all women within Australia; and private maternity care for those who can afford private health insurance. Within these two models of care systems are further

My current research Project focuses on improving physical, social, and psychological health among the indigenous Australians. With active participation in this project i understand indigenous health issues and the causes of morbidity and mortality in indigenous Australians as compared to other Australians. It is important to consider culturally appropriate assessment and intervention focused on indigenous health and well-being. While doing this project i provided emotional support and encourage them to achieve better health outcomes. The regular communication with indigenous Australians I understood the barriers they perceive and opportunities available to them.

To better understand culturally inclusive care the hospital provides, nursing and healthcare practices and policies were identified and examined. An initiative was taken by the hospital in launching an Aboriginal Health Strategy that was designed to further help establish bridges and develop a culturally safe environment for local aboriginal communities on 8 of July 2015 (God, 2015). A major benefit of the program included recruitment of 30 Aboriginal staff, which corresponds to about 4% of the health care facility 's personnel to make certain culturally assured care for Aboriginal patients was achieved (God, 2015).

The study was conducted between April and December of 2012, through a qualitative approach by using Donabedian’s theoretical framework. This is used to investigate the quality of the healthcare structure and process which strengthens the study. The participants involved seventeen midwives from MGP, of whom fifteen were in focus group discussions and the remaining two provided written assessment. Midwives were asked to identify whether specific terms were significant to them. The findings were analysed using the Thematic analysis which illustrated that midwives would commonly use terms such as “done a good job’ when caring for a group of vulnerable women. The authors developed themes and shared them

The following report will explain what “Koolin Balit” outlines and its specific objectives to reach the ultimate goal: to improve Aboriginal health in Victoria over the period of the next ten years, as a strategic administration conducted by the Victorian government. This report will then address one of its priority areas, “A healthy start to life” which is designated to improve the health conditions of Aboriginal mothers and their infants that are deemed two at-risk groups. Lastly, three specific determinants of health related to the specific priority area: early life, addiction and social support will be amplified how they connect with this priority area and related health outcomes for aboriginal babies.

A general understanding of the history of midwifery is important when considering why it would have such a positive effect on indigenous women’s health. Acculturation diminished the traditional midwifery practices and there is evidence that the health of indigenous women has suffered. Midwifery was an old indigenous tradition that was gradually eliminated throughout acculturation. The Skye article states that in the 20th century, there were laws passed that made midwifery illegal and punishable by law. (Skye, 2010) This caused negative effects on health because there was no longer a focus on the overall wellbeing of the individual and the loss of culture was a traumatic experience for indigenous populations in Canada. The article also states that midwives were highly respected in indigenous culture and midwives shared a spiritual connection with the mother, child, family and whole community. It outlines that midwives coached the mother and community throughout all stages of pregnancy. They ensured that all of the needs of the mother were met nutritionally, physically, and spiritually. Midwives also performed the role of educators to their communities and they passed on many traditions and aided in spiritual development and healing. Throughout the process of acculturation, knowledge of health and traditional medicine was lost. (Skye, 2010) The Caroll article talks about the historical

Colonialism in Australia places a detrimental threat to the health of Indigenous Australians. Inherent in colonialism were scientific racisms, institutional racism and structural violence. These factors continues to persist in the fabric of Australian society today and limits the life chances of Indigenous Australians. This essay illuminates colonialism as a major contributor to the social marginalisation and low socioeconomic status experienced by indigenous Australian. An analysis of Aboriginal infant mortality rate, a health indicator highlights the difference between biomedical and sociological approach and the embedded negative impact of social marginalisation and low socioeconomic status on the health of Indigenous Australians. The

Bernadette Ward RN, Midwife, Grad Cert Ed, MPHandTM, MHlth Sci Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia. B.Ward@latrobe.edu.au Glenda Verrinder RN, Midwife, Grad Cert Higher Ed, Grad Dip Pub and Com Health, MHlth Sci Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia.

As a result, illnesses such as tuberculosis, small pox, and measles went uncured which led to the death of many Indigenous students (The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, 2012). This was illustrated in Wenjack where it is mentioned how Chanie had developed a lung infection, tuberculosis, which he had failed to receive treatment for. It is noted by Boyden (2016) that “tuberculosis and similar diseases had taken thousands of Indian children’s lives” (p. 11). The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2012) state how the high mortality rates of students caused devastation within families hoping their children would return home. As a result, they spent their lives grieving never knowing how their child died or where their body was placed. Thus, it is no surprise that the statistics demonstrate that the Aboriginal population has higher rates of premature death (Pederson et al., date). Unfortunately, neglect in Aboriginal’s health care still continues to occur to this day. In particular, Pederson et al. (date) mentions how poor economic and social conditions in the Indigenous community exist which contribute to these individuals viewing their health status as low. Additionally, the neglect in this population has resulted in a reduction in their social determinants of health. For instance, Pederson et al. (date) recognize how physical neglect has resulted in “poverty, poor housing and substance abuse” (p. 297). As a result of being neglected, the Aboriginal population is continuing to suffer which further leads to consequences in their health. Thus, Wenjack enables the reader to acknowledge how neglect continues to play a role in harming the lives on the Aboriginal

This article states “… we all expect our health-care providers to be respectful of us and our individual needs.” However, I believe that shows lack of education and guidelines can lead to a decrease knowledge on individuals causing barriers to decrease the level of respect. The article successfully discusses the stereotypes client’s experience, and how their care is impacted. Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have said that, “evidence shows that culturally sensitive health care leads to better health for aboriginal communities.” By the author putting in specific research and examples in the article, the author demonstrates cultural maltreatment is a reality by using specific research examples within the article.

This discussion will address the importance of the first antenatal appointment and three important aspects of this experience; these are the gathering of the woman’s health history, undertaking a maternal assessment, and maternal screening. Furthermore, a critical comparison of the use of the South Australian Pregnancy Record with the more traditional practice of using the hospital record as the methods of documentation. The establishment of antenatal care was founded in 1920. Since then the practice of midwifery has changed and developed into what we know today, as the midwifery-led continuity of care model, which the first antenatal care visit should aim for. This is an important time where the midwife gets to know the mother, her physical

During this semester, my learning experiences have been very momentous towards my understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. My personal viewpoint has been opened during this semester. This unit has assisted in my understanding towards the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The one thing that really interested me was the birthing traditions, women’s business and the Grandmother’s Law in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders culture.