What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Aboriginal Health

Indigenous people’s health incorporates a holistic, ecological and spiritual view on health and well-being (Mitchell, 2007). Their comprehensive view on life encompasses cultural, emotional and social elements of the community as a whole (Katitjin, 2017). Community functionality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is highly regarded and comprises a valued framework of identity and culture, leadership; routine and structure; vitality; a connection to history, land, and country; resilience, having a role; and feeling safe (Katitjin, 2017). Closing the Gap Campaign Steering Committee report highlights, the importance of providing culturally appropriate services for Indigenous people with the support of a holistic health approach (The Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee, 2017). Furthermore, there has been clear recognition that over the last decade, the European colonisation has had an impact on economic, spiritual and social factors of the health of the First Australians (The Close the Gap …show more content…
Indigenous Australians are identified as a disadvantaged population in terms of health status and a range of other social indicators, such as employment, education, housing and criminal acts, which all show a strong correlation with poor health status (Mitchell, 2007). Due to these disadvantages, it has been proven a challenge for the Australian government and indigenous people to work together to improve their health status and the well-being of indigenous people. This essay will focus on the health status of Australian Indigenous people, highlighting the vast inequality of health between non- Indigenous and Indigenous Australians and outlining how the Australian government is addressing these disadvantages in the ‘Closing the gap’