There has been a global shift to declare racism a public health crisis. But we need to drill deeper to understand racism, rethink health data and listen to lived experience.
NT Health workers and Australian Defence Force troops deliver food parcels to Binjari communities in Katherine, NT.
AAP
The current string of COVID outbreaks in remote Aboriginal communities are due to get worse if the NT government opens its borders on December 20, as planned.
For First Nations peoples living with Dementia, loss of speech can bring loss of connection to family and culture. A new initiative has found a culturally friendly way to assist with communication.
Climate change is a key risk for remote Indigenous communities in Australia. How can housing in remote and regional areas be improved to withstand extreme weather conditions for these communities?
People take a selfie after receiving a COVID vaccine at an Aboriginal vaccination Hub in Whalan, west of Sydney.
Dan Himbrechts/AAP Images
There have been many barriers for Aboriginal communities to access the vaccine during the pandemic. Despite this, communities are taking the lead in ensuring everyone gets vaccinated.
Bundhurr Marburumburaay Miilgi Ngalgarra (lighting, thunder, rain, shine)- no matter how big, strong or scary the storm the sun will shine again. Artist Renae Lamb, Wiradjuri Wongabong. Owner Midnight Dreaming.
Used with permission.
Provided by author
The COVID-19 pandemic is a stressful time for all, and even more so for people experiencing trauma-related stress. How can public health emergency responses avoid further trauma for vulnerable people?
Aboriginal All Stars at Football Park, Darwin.
Stephen Cherry/AAP
Physical activity and sport are important in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. However, there are barriers to these activities for some communities. How can this be addressed?
Indigenous community members receiving a Covid-19 vaccines at a pop-up vaccination clinic at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern.
Dan Himbrechts/AAP Image
Predominantly white perspectives in health practice and policy development can exclude First Nations people in some health services. This is proving evident during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The town of Wilcannia in the far outback of New South Wales on the banks of the Darling river.
shutterstock
The second wave of COVID-19 in New South Wales highlights concerns for the unvaccinated and those with multiple risk factors - particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Wybalenna, Flinders Island: the Aboriginal settlement 1847.
Courtesy of Libraries Tasmania
The Closing the Gap dashboard includes data on the 17 socioeconomic targets in the national agreement. But this information isn’t enough on its own to bring real change.
A still from the animated Heart Foundation video encouraging Aboriginal people to get a heart check.
Author provided
Indigenous people in Australia experience poorer health outcomes than non-Indigenous Australians. So it’s crucial health messaging is delivered in culturally appropriate ways.
However, transport inequality and its health implications for Indigenous people is overlooked by policy makers.
John Pryke/AAP
Inuit living in their traditional territory must travel long distances — often with no personal support — for specialized health-care services like cancer care, obstetrics and dialysis.
People embrace in front of the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill at a memorial for the 215 children whose remains were found at the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A commitment to eliminating racism must be reflected in accountability mechanisms that focus on the impacts of coordinated and consistent anti-racist action.
Prisons need to improve services for chronic conditions, mental health, and palliative care.
Andrew Mercer/ Wikimedia
Despite the disproportionate numbers of Aboriginal people in prisons, there are near to no cultural protocols in place, and chronic illness is often not addressed.
Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne