A Western Australian study, one of the first of its kind, reveals the complex experiences of those living at the intersection of being Indigenous and part of the LGBTIQ+ community.
Here, where the Black Lives Matter movement has brought focus to First Nations people dying in custody, media attention has been episodic and too often absent.
Provided by author
George Floyd’s death and the US Black Lives Matter movement sparked extensive media attention. Why aren’t Australian Indigenous deaths in custody getting the same amount of media coverage?
As a Koori bloke who lives with disability, I believe the proposed framework is disrespectful and discriminatory towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Crystal Bulumbara, Esther Bulumbara, Claire Smith and Nell Brown. Barunga community, Northern Territory. July 2019.
Narritj
Researchers report on how COVID-19 is affecting isolated Indigenous communities. Their voices bridge the urban divide, reveal challenges and describe some unexpected bonuses.
Large households, poor health literacy, not enough soap and vaccines, scepticism of mainstream services. These are some of the reasons urban Aboriginal people face increased risks.
Aboriginal people are at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19 than non-Aboriginal people. But plans to protect remote communities and keep the virus out are progressing too slowly.
Regular exercise reduces the risk of obesity and a number of chronic diseases.
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock
Just one in four Indigenous women play sport or are physically active, with many citing racism, cost and gendered expectations as barriers.
Walpiri Transient Camp, Katherine: Western medicine can’t be expected to work for disadvantaged Indigenous Australians unless housing and social disadvantage are also addressed.
Simon Quilty, Australian National University and Lisa Wood, The University of Western Australia
A safe home, a working fridge and access to transport are all needed before western medicine has a chance of working in the long term. But a new way of providing care can help.
Sunshine Coast University Hospital uses evidence-based design to provide outside spaces with views that Indigenous people tell us they value.
Architectus
Many Indigenous people tell us they find hospitals stressful, uncomfortable and alienating. Here’s how good design can help.
Around 5% of adults and 90% of babies who contract hepatitis B go on to have life-long infection that can only be managed with regular medication.
Ronald Rampsch/Shutterstock
Many Aboriginal survivors of sexual abuse find mainstream counselling inappropriate. But there is a way to help them heal that respects a collective culture, with strong community ties.
Lung disease can often be prevented with culturally appropriate health care and information.
Pamela Larid
Lung infections are the most common reason for Aboriginal children to be hospitalised. But many cases can be prevented by seeking treatment for wet coughs that last for four weeks or more.
More than 277,000 people have already benefited from the NDIS, but there’s room to improve.
From shutterstock.com
The absence of Indigenous Australians in rehabilitation services has created the belief they don’t want therapy. The reality is they want services which better meet their cultural needs.
Being separated from their children affects the mental well-being of Aboriginal mothers in prison.
ChrisMilesProductions/Shutterstock
Aboriginal mothers in prison feel intergenerational trauma and the forced removal of their children are the most significant factors impacting their health and well-being.
The excavations at the Normanton site in 2015.
Shaun Adams
When the remains of Aboriginal people who died more than a century ago were found, the local Aboriginal community wanted to know more about these past lives.
At least half the food eaten by the first Australians came from plants. And in terms of medicines, many different parts of plants were used.
Unless we design research programs to look at why people would rather stay on country than receive effective health treatments, Aboriginal health may not improve.
Dan Peled/AAP
Like all good health care, improving health in remote settings requires an evidence base. But forcing all research questions into the randomised controlled trial model is not the answer.
Contrary to what some may believe, Indigenous Australians suffer musculoskeletal pain. They just seek less help.
Neda Vanovac/AAP
Independent journalist and health writer; Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney; Founder of Croakey.org. PhD candidate, University of Canberra