Australian Aboriginal peoples and evidence - Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss about the Australian Aboriginal peoples and evidence. Answer: In the present healthcare scenario in Australia, there is no secret that Aboriginal people experience poorer health as compared to non-indigenous people. Health disparities in terms of access to healthcare services and treatment for major illness are disquieting in an affluent country like Australia. This disparity in healthcare among the Aboriginals is penetrating the heart of country declaring that they are to be forgotten people as the issue need to be catapulted to the forefront of the countrys healthcare system. As per the damning article by The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia, there is ongoing racism in the present healthcare system that is exacerbating the yawning gap between Aboriginals and non-indigenous health (Humanrights.gov.au, 2017). This stark finding is a reminder for nursing practice that being healthcare professionals, at every level need to have cultural sensitivity while working with indigenous communities for the preservation of common good. There is a failure to engage the Aboriginals effectively in the healthcare system that is resulting in poor health outcomes among them. A widespread and disturbing ambivalence is related to discomfort, social silence and denial characterises the mainstream Australian population. The problem of racism anxiety at all health system levels fail to acknowledge their health problem, cultural needs and identity that act as barriers to their access to healthcare services. Nursing is the profession that can help to establish health equality in the healthcare system being at the frontline in the provision of care. The elements of cultural sensitivity, concern and care elements instilled in nursing practice help in the promotion of common good in the society locally and globally (Schoo, Lawn Carson, 2016). The above discussion seems alarming realizing that competing priorities argue that whether the principle of common good is promoting health equalities among the Aboriginal and non-indigenous population. From the nursing perspective, there is need for recognition of racism that is acting as strong barrier to the achievement of health equality and culturally safe healthcare system for the Aboriginals. The state and federal government need to work in collaboration with co-ordinated partnerships taking into account the cultural and social determinants of health. Nursing profession is at the prime position and has the ability to holistically address this health inequality rooting from social determinants, stemming and branching off. Nurses work towards health promotion in a direct and indirect manner for the prevention and treatment of illness along with advocacy in the provision of care (Phillips Malone, 2014). They are placed in such a position where the poor health outcomes of Aborigi nals can be improved through alleviating the worst effects of racism and poverty. The past treatment of Aboriginals in Australia is a direct failure in closing the gap that is highly unacceptable. The Australian Human Rights Commission along with the United Nations described that social disadvantage Aboriginals are facing in Australia today. Closing the Gap is the main target to increase accessibility to healthcare for the Aboriginals. There is lack of cultural incompetency and that acts as a significant barrier in seeking healthcare services as there is no respectful rapport or relationship formed between the healthcare professional and an Aboriginal patient (Doyle, 2015). Nurses can help to close the distinct difference between Aboriginals and non-indigenous population by committing to social justice and heath equity central to nursing. For the promotion of common good, there is requirement of nurses attention towards health disparities among Aboriginals that is deeply embedded in their profession in making societal impact. In the nursing profession, heath equity is the main priority where every individual should have equal access to healthcare services attaining fairness being the part and parcel of their teaching, research and practice. Under the Standards of Practice for registered nurses in Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), nurses should recognize the importance of culture to health and wellbeing understanding the impact of colonization on social, cultural and spiritual lives of Aboriginals that has contributed to significant health disparities in Australia (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, 2017). Closing the Gap is one initiative regarding health equity and availability reflecting the research being done to reduce health gap. The enjoyment and recognition of their cultural and human rights is one way to eradicate the health disparity among Aboriginals. As nurses spend maximum amount of time with patients, future nursing profession can aid to address the institutionalized racism, intergenerational trauma and cultural pre-eminence against Aboriginal health inequality (Taylor, 2016). Indigenous nursing is a ray of hope that can make difference and close the gap in the health disparity among Aboriginals ensuring equality in healthcare. Cultural sensitivity and health equality among Aboriginals can protect their human rights and promote common good where nurses commit to see positive health outcomes closing the gap in the future. References Doyle, K. E. (2015). Australian Aboriginal peoples and evidence-based policies: Closing the gap in social interventions.Journal of evidence-informed social work,12(2), 166-174. Humanrights.gov.au, (2017), Close the Gap: Indigenous Health Campaign | Australian Human Rights Commission. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-social-justice/projects/close-gap-indigenous-health Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, (2017), Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Professional standards. Retrieved from https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-standards.aspx Phillips, J. M., Malone, B. (2014). Increasing racial/ethnic diversity in nursing to reduce health disparities and achieve health equity.Public Health Reports,129(1_suppl2), 45-50. Schoo, A., Lawn, S., Carson, D. (2016). Towards equity and sustainability of rural and remote health services access: supporting social capital and integrated organisational and professional development.BMC health services research,16(1), 111. Taylor, G. (2016). Closing the gap: A decade on.Newsmonth,36(2), 2.