Indigenous Health Issues

The overall Australian community is faced with many health problems and issues on a day to day basis. Diabetes mellitus for example is a treacherous one that is experienced by many, particularly those of Indigenous or Aboriginal backgrounds. However specifically as compared to the broader population the indigenous community is much more vulnerable and are more vigorously affected by this malignant tumour. The indigenous population group is most sensitive to the various health issues specifically when compared to the non-indigenous groups as statistics in relation to various health issues shows that their rates of suffering are much higher. The socioeconomic and health literacy levels of this population group are two outstanding contributing …show more content…
It is also salient to be able to recognise the many different organisations and initiatives created with the purpose of addressing the health inequalities such as; Closing the Gap, Aboriginal Life!, Better Living Diabetes Program by Australian Indigenous Health info Net and many more.

To be able to fully understand the relationship between socioeconomic status and the health status of individuals, particularly the Indigenous community, it is important to know what a socioeconomic status us. The socioeconomic status may be defined as a social standing of hierarchal class, but by many different health organisations it may be defined as an individuals social standing based on their level of education, income and occupation. The significance that an individuals socioeconomic status (SES) plays in ones level of health is a very large one. Its vital role is seen in the varying difference of life expectancy rates of those with a low socioeconomic status compared to a high one; i.e. for males with a low SES …show more content…
In order to do this one must not only have the socioeconomic needs of controlling the illness such as access to medical professionals and medication, but they must also have the understanding, therefore the health literacy, and have the knowledge of what this entails and how they must go about it. The Better Living with Diabetes program helps the Indigenous community of Queensland do just this. By targeting those with non-insulin dependent diabetes, the project’s aim is to ensure better health by making sure that each individual understands how to control their own chronic condition. The project tries to support and encourage a change in lifestyle for these individuals in order that the incidence of diabetes in the Aboriginal community can be reduced. They try to achieve this goal by categorising the strategy into two crucial areas; education and clinical support (Health info Net). By providing easy to access medical services and teaching the patients vital information, they allow them to achieve better health increasing their chances of living a healthy life with this