Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders The aboriginal and Torres strait islander people have a greater amount of disadvantage and significantly more health problems than non- aboriginal and Torres straight island population in Australia. This issue was highlighted recently during a national press club address with Martin Laverty, Dr Tom Calma and Kate Carnell. They raised many issues and considered the disadvantages experienced and possible solutions to overcome these problems. They explain what constitutes the social determinants of health; consider the WHO social determinants of health action plan and the effects of racism on health outcomes. They look at participation rates, education and employment and strategies addressing the social …show more content…
High quality intervention and education would improve children’s lifelong outcomes across all areas such as education, health and wellbeing. (AIHW.gov.au., ). The national partnership agreement for indigenous early childhood development aim to half mortality rates in the under 5’s within a decade and improve reading, writing and numeracy skills by ensuring access to education in remote areas. Currently most aboriginal and Torres strait islander people are behind the rest of the children when they start year one of primary education and the majority of these children will not complete a year 12 education.(Creative spirits. Info/aborigional culture/education., ). Education has potential to improve outcomes for aborigional people and to improve socio-economic and health outcomes. (WHO.int/social determinants/action.sdh/en/., ). In 2008 Western Australia changed the school leaving age to 17 years. This time can be completed in school or in a formal training position such as an apprentice ensuring that children leave school with some level of education or qualification to enter the workplace. Lower levels of education often make employment harder to come by. Unemployment rose recently in Australia due to the economic global downturn in the market place. As a result participation of employment rates decreased at a time when it is important for the country to maintain the current standards of …show more content…
The governments ‘closing the gap’ framework provides an insight into areas of disadvantage and an action plan to improve outcomes across social determinants of health. They have highlighted six targets which they plan to achieve by manipulating existing frameworks, to take action in housing, education , employment and health and to align the programme goals. They will support local programmes for opportunities and encourage local services to address social inequalities and reflect on priorities. High quality health care must be accessible and appropriate for indigenous people and free of racism. The government will implement the national anti-racism strategy 2010-2020. They plan to improve culture and language competency of health services and health care providers and expand on good practice initiatives to prevent and reduce