CHSUG3003 Health and Wellbeing in Diverse Communities Assessment Answer

Introduction

Health is the state of complete mental, physical, and social well-being of an individual (WHO, 2023). Health indicators are specified characteristics of health which are used to measure the health of a given population. Health indicators are defined as measures that apprehend pertinent information on various characteristics and dimensions of health performance and the status of a health system. The health indicators' purpose is to boost the health of the targeted population and decrease preventable inequalities (Pan American Health Organization, n.d.). According to the report 2010-2012, the average lifespan of Aboriginals was approximately ten years as compared to non-indigenous people. The various health indicators are major factors which contribute to the inequalities and disparities among them. (Australian Human Rights Commission, n.d.). The community chosen for this report is Aboriginal and Torres Island People and the health indicators are mental health, substance abuse, smoking rates and kidney disease. This report will focus on the three health indicators due to which there is inequality between the mainstream community and Aboriginals.

Health Indicators

Mental Health

Mental health is accountable for 10% of the health gap between non-indigenous and indigenous Australians (Australian Government, 2021). The study conducted by Nasir et al. (2018), highlights the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) in Indigenous Australians. The author and his colleague found that the occurrence of CMD is higher than in non-indigenous people. There is a gap between the indigenous and non-indigenous people due to which Aboriginals are connected to their tradition, culture and beliefs. According to the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare, a third of first nation people who are young undergo a very high level of distress. The level of distress is more than twice when compared to other young Australians. Mental illness is the greatest burden of disease in Queensland (Queensland Government, 2021). The study conducted by Ogilvie et al. (2021), focuses on the prevalence of psychiatric illness among Indigenous Australians. The authors found that there are noteworthy inequalities in psychiatric morbidity between the non-indigenous and indigenous people. Psychiatric illness is evident from an early age and becomes more definite with increasing age. Emotional well-being and social well-being are not the same as mental illness or mental health but they interact and have an influence on each other. For Indigenous Australians good mental health means having a feeling of belongingness and strong cultural identity. In addition to this according to a report of 2018-19, approximately 24% of Indigenous Australians are diagnosed with mental health problems (Australian Government, 2022). Indigenous people also experience mental health due to climate change. The mental health impacts related to climatic changes are intensified among the Aboriginals who rely on the environment for subsistence. Mental health is impacted by society and varies depending on geographical locations,socio-cultural contexts and regional variations in climate change (Middleton et al., 2020). 

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse refers to the use of harmful psychoactive substances which includes illicit drugs. Substance abuse may result in emotional, social and physical problems. One of the major impacts of using illicit drugs is the negative health consequences (WHO, 2023). The Indigenous people have commonly used psychoactive substances which include alcohol that is brewed. The consumption of alcohol has also been used for cultural purposes. Indigenous peoples already have poor health and substance use disorders add to health disparities (Doyle, 2021). Marijuana is one of the most common substances used among the Aboriginals. Approximately 23 % of Indigenous Australians had used illicit substances (Australian Government, 2023). Substance use at an early stage is a big risk factor that continues for the long term and results in poor health outcomes. The Indigenous youth indulge in substance use and therefore prevention programs are initiated for Indigenous youth in elementary schools (Maina et al., 2020). The problem of substance use appeared after the introduction of grain alcohol and heavy drinking which was not common among Indigenous Australians earlier. The fundamental principles related to community psychology provided useful frameworks for community-driven substance use in Aboriginals (Wendt et al., 2019). There is a high risk of disease that is related to substance use and effective prevention is the key strategy to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginals. The important step to identify the protective and risk factors associated with substance use is based on individual studies that are being performed. One of the risk factors is peer substance use that indulges the Aboriginals from using alcohol. Indigenous people living in urban areas are more prone to consume alcohol and illicit drugs. The protective factor for alcohol is cultural engagement (Snijder et al., 2021).

Smoking

Smoking is one of the leading causes of the burden of disease among the Aboriginals. In Torres Islander people there is a high rate of smoking. The impact of processes which are colonial as well as tobacco marketing has established the commercial use of tobacco among indigenous Australians. There is a decrease in the use of tobacco among the Aboriginals but still the smoking mortality among the Aboriginals is high and current daily adult smoking is 40.2%. The mortality rate depends on the population group and the time course from which smoking has been started. Smoking also causes premature deaths and the mortality rate of Aboriginals is high compared to the total Australian population ( Thurber et al., 2021). The prevalence of daily smoking is similar among the male and females of Aboriginal and Torres Islander People. Tobacco smoking results in many health problems like stroke, ischaemic heart disease, asthma and various types of cancer. Smoking is one of the health indicators responsible for 23% of the health gap between Non-indigenous and indigenous Australians. The Australian Government has funded programs like Indigenous Tobacco Control Initiative. Moreover, the government of Australia has also invested in social marketing campaigns that majorly emphasise Aboriginals and Torres Islander people (Chamberlain et al., 2017). To make advancements in the economy, political and social goals there was an addiction to tobacco in Aboriginals. Tobacco is also used as a bribe to solicit Aboriginals. The Torres Islander people are offered tobacco in exchange for items like photographs, material for the culture and stories. Colonisers also manipulate Aboriginals by offering tobacco and extorting goods, services and labour. The use of tobacco by the colonisers has impacted the Aboriginals' health and has caused harm to the whole community. In addition to this current smoking refers to smoking cigars, pipes, and tobacco products on a regular basis (Colonna et al., 2020).

Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an increasingly serious common health problem in Australia. Aboriginals who live in remote communities are at higher risk of developing CKD. In addition to this, the Aboriginals have poor health outcomes and decreased quality of life. The hospitalisation cases for dialysis treatment regularly among indigenous Australians is 11 times high as compared to other Australians. The Torres Islander People are 4 times more likely to die with CDK as the cause of death as compared to the non-indigenous Australians (Australian Government, 2021). The study conducted by Thomson et al. (2019) highlights the occurrence of renal disease in the Aboriginals by genetic and environmental factors. There are pathological findings that are characterised by the presence of increased sclerosis. The Aboriginals who do not have any kidney disease have 30 % less glomeruli. The kidney problems in Aboriginals are associated with multiple coexisting psychological stressors which results in negative impacts on social and emotional well-being. According to the report of the National Biomedical Risk Factor Survey that was held in 2012-13, approximately 10% of Australians have signs of CKD. In addition to this 23% of the Aboriginal adults are estimated to have CKD. Aboriginals with CKD (Nagel et al., 2020). Indigenous people have health inequalities, especially those who have been colonised. The consequences of CKD affect the indigenous people at a younger age and the risk is increased as age increases. The biological risk factor is indigeneity which helps to explain the health inequities that are associated with non-communicable diseases like CKD (Huria et al., 2021). The incidence rate of failure for kidney along with replacement therapy for the Torres Islander people was more in females as compared to males. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death among the Aboriginals who were on dialysis (Australian Government, 2023).

Conclusion

Health is an important aspect for an individual to complete their mental, physical and social well-being. Health indicators are a way to measure specific health conditions in a targeted population. In Australia, the Aboriginals and Torres Islander People are affected by various health indicators like kidney disease, substance abuse, mental health and smoking. Mental health is one of the important factors responsible for the gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. The Aboriginals commonly use psychoactive substances among which marijuana is one of the most common substances used. Smoking is another health indicator which has a great impact on the Aboriginals and Torres Islander people. Smoking causes premature deaths in the Aboriginals. Chronic kidney disease is one of the common health indicators affecting the Aboriginals. The health indicators cause disparities between the Aboriginals and the mainstream community.

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