Socio-economic status
A person's position in society as determined by income, wealth, health, occupation, race, education, place of residence, and other factors
Maori: Smokefree 2025
NZ government initiative aims to reduce the rate of women and mothers who smoke
Pakeha
New Zealander of European descent, non-Maori New Zealander
Maori: Impact of colonisation
1760-1777 Captain Cook was presentPrior to colonisation life expectancy was about 30Steady decrease after: M-25 F-23100 years after colonisation, Maori pop was halvedDisplacement meant tribal boundries were crossedDependance on colonisers for food because no access to access to traditional landInfant deaths, alcoholism, land loss all came from 1872 New Zealand Wars
Maori: diseases from colonisers
Caused the majority of deaths, limited access to traditional health care, diseases spread through community living, poor housing and nutrition caused more health issues and poor immune systems.
Maori Community Example: Gisbourne Safe Bed Project
Wahakura - woven flax basketAcknowledges bed sharing as a part of Maori cultureAttempts to work with culture to keep babies safe as a response to high infant deaths (Hapai)Work with community to promote the projectClasses are held to learn basket weaving to use at home
Maori: Hapai - Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy Syndrome (SUDI)
SUDI is 60% higher for MaoriRisk factors:Not putting babies to sleep on their backsSmoking around infantsNot breastfeedingBed sharing with newborns
Model for Maori health: Te Whare Tapa Wha
Maori believe good health has 4 aspectsSpiritual, Psychological, Physical, Family and social environment.Represented as 4 sides of a house.
Maori: National Organisation of Maori Traditional Practitioners
Government endorsed initiative that enables Maori to purchase and access traditional medicines Promotes cooperation and follow ups between doctors, specialists and healers
Maori: Turunga Health
Is an Iwi (people) health provider, with a vision for building family wellness for future generationsOffer 3 services for different Turunga tribesThey have primary, preventative, and curative health careAll registered adults are given free care
Maori: Marae
Communal or sacred place which serves religious and social purposes
Maori: Whanua
extended family
Maori: Vanessa Lowndes Centre
Focusses on self-esteem and confidence for people with different disabilitiesProvides fitness and health services, cooking and nutrition education, gardening, and literacy and numeracy servicesHealth treatements: blood pressure management, oxygen treatments, dressing wounds and healing
Maori: Eke Tu Program
Holistic program which doctors refer chronic patients to traditional healing to improve their health4 month program for people with high blood pressure, high body mass index and other chronic issuesFocus on physical activity and education to improve personal health status
Maori health intiatives
Traditional medicines made avaliableIncrease in Maori health care workersCommunity developed and run health programsImproving awareness of cultural needs
Maori: Health Status
Low SESLow income ratesHigh unemploymentLow educationMore likely to rentYounger population (dying earlier)Lower life expectancy
Maori: Life expectancy
M - 73F - 77Non-maori: M-81 F-84
Aboriginal Life expectancy
M - 71F - 76Non-Aboriginal: M-80 F-83
Aboriginal prevalent disease and illness
Sexual health & abuseDiabetesSmokingHearing issuesKidney diseaseTrachoma (eyes)AlcoholismMental healthInfant mortalityCancers
Maori prevalent disease and illness
Heart diseaseDiabetesSmokingCancer (lung from smoking)Cardiovascular diseasePoor dietAsthma Housing and pollution
Aboriginal: Leading cause of death
Heart disease then diabetes
Maori: Leading cause of death
Cancers (lung is the most prevalent) then heart disease
Aboriginal: Health status
More likely to be sexually abused17 times more likely to have diabetesAbout half of Aboriginal pop smokeAbout 10 years lower life expectancy15% have issues with alcohol93% have mental health issuesHigh infant mortalityIntergenerational trauma increases the impacts on social, emotional and mental health
Aboriginal: Health initiatives
Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council Aboriginal Medical ServiceNational Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS)
Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council
Started the 'Kick the habit campaign'
Ready Mob
Has tv advertisements that are positive messages to promote healthy lifestyles eg. 'feed the mob not the habit'
Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS)
Education programs, nutirition programs and support, mobile dentists etc.The Redfern AMS clinic was the first free medical service for Aboriginal people
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
An organisation that encourages the inclusion of Aboriginal people in the health care system to allow Aboriginal communities to access better health care. Promotes traditional health practices in Aboriginal communities and takes the political influences on health out of the equation.
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
provides advice and guidance to the Australian Government on policy and budget matters while advocating for community-developed health solutions that contribute to the quality of life and improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Aboriginal: Impacts of colonisation
Lack of traditional medicines and healing Some traditional health practices were lost over generations from displacement and disconnectionLack of access in remote areasLack of immunity to introduced diseases and still not enough time or change to become accustomed to modern diseases (eg. the high diabetes cases)Poor nutrition from dependence on colonisers for rationsStolen Generation Alcoholism is a generational issue from when wages were substituted for alcohol and cigarettes
The Hadden Family
The Hadden family saw generations of diseases and illness pass down from parents to children as a result of colonisation.
Armajun Kamilaroi Community example
The Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service is present in the Armajun Kamileroi community and provided primary health care.They promoted holistic and culturally approapriate health careControlled by the communityCovers the NSW areas of Glen Innes, Armidale and InverellProvides services such as dentists, drug and alcohol treatment/education, Mens health, Sexual health
Close the Gap Campaign
It aims to reduce the health inequities experienced by ATSI.- health status- infant mortality- life expectancy- numeracy and literary levels- educational achievement- employment outcomes
Political changes needed for health equality
Improved housingImproved access to health care and traditional healingImproved education outcomesReduction of stigma and racism towards Indigenous AustraliansTruth telling policiesUluru Statement from the heart
Social changes needed for health equality
Acceptance within the communityChanged attitudes towards Aboriginal culture and peopleImproved lifestyle outcomes Reconciliation
Federal government responsibilities for health
MedicareFunding public hospitalsAttracting health care workersFunding programs specifically for Indigenous health including community-controlled health care organisationsFunding preventative and proactive health programs
State and territory gov responsibilities
HospitalsMental health programsWomens health careDentistsPreventative health promotion
First contact and colonisation impacts on Maori and Aboriginal
DiseaseNutritionLand disconnectionKinship system cross oversDamage to landsDamage or removal of sacred sitesForeign systems of health and criminal justice Language loss