Resilience Aboriginal Communities In Crisis -Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Resilience Aboriginal Communities In Crisis? Answer: Introducation: Cultural and historical events greatly influences health migration and incorporating components of new culture came into origin of a particular culture. The culture and history on health is vast affecting perceptions of illness, health, death and beliefs about disease causes helping healthcare professionals to design and tailor diagnosis, and health promotion approaches (Anderson Kowal, 2012). Ethnicity and racial differences present a complex structure of health differences predisposing them to risk factors in every dimension. These differences are clear as ethnic or racial groups are rooted in complex interlocked factors of socio-economic status. Risk factors include behavioural risk factors that predispose cultural groups to chronic disease and subjected to abusive behaviours related to it like substance abuse or violent behaviour (Spector, 2012). Healthcare behaviour also contribute to risk as health seeking behaviour, avoidance or utilization of healthcare, doctor-patient relat ionship and compliance to medical regimens also give rise to varying health differences. For example, Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander and Chinese families in Australia are subjected to certain risk factors due to current and historical events in Australia with differences in health outcomes that will be discussed in the following essay. Moreover, the essay will highlight the influence of service care provision and healthcare policies on health outcomes of these two cultural groups. Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI) is the original Australian people that are unrivalled in the whole world occupying traditional lands through the mainland country. TSI on the other hand occupies 270 islands running in between Papua New Guinea and Australia. There are cultural and ethical differences within ATSI societies having own traditions and language being original custodians of Australia (Garling et al. 2013). On a contrary, Chinese Australians are the second largest immigrants source in Australia after India. During the Australian Gold Rushes period, Chinese came to Australia shaping and influencing Australian policy for years (Pang, Alfrey Varea, 2016). Racism is one of the main driving factors that affected Australian Federation. This immigration depicts that there was bimodal distribution of Chinese in Australia where some tended to face language difficulties and experienced high unemployment rate. In stark contrast, Few Chinese came as business or profession al migrants who brought great wealth and skills with them. On a contrary, Colonization and assimilation of government into mainstream Western society has an impact on every aspect of ATSI life including traditional roles, health, socio-economic conditions, health equity, access to services and culture (Tousignant Sioui, 2013). The policies and procedures post- colonization by government assimilation had contribute to the Aboriginal people marginalization from the mainstream society having a disruptive and profound impact on their health, access to healthcare services, socio-economic welfare and culture around the world. This resulted in reduction of Australian Aboriginal population by 90% between 1788 and 1900 (Haskins Lowrie, 2014). The above comparison shows that being the original people in Australia, ASTI faced discrimination and marginalization post-colonization practiced even today. However, Chinese Australians being immigrants left a mark on the Australian history changing the phase of present Australian society. After the British settlement, there was appearance of European diseases being the immediate consequence of British colonization like smallpox, chicken pox, measles and influenza (Greenwood de Leeuw, 2012). These are infectious disease spread quickly among the Aboriginal communities on a large scale. Moreover, the nomadic life of Aboriginals was disrupted as they were driven away from their lands resulting in reduction of access to water resources and land (Tuck Yang, 2012). By 1980s, all Aboriginal lands were taken away by white settlers and already weakened by appearance of new diseases; it reduced the chances for ATSI survival. The stolen lands and civilization also contributed to their present health conditions as compared to non-indigenous population in Australia (Land, 2015). This is evident in the fact that as per Aboriginals cultural beliefs, physical environment in the local area had been created by actions of spiritual ancestors and losing them had pervasive risks to their health and wellbeing. Although, colonization affected ASTI, unlike Chinese Australians actively fought against racism and prejudice and various famous activists like Lowe Kong Meng and Loius Ah Mouy highlighted various social and economical issues faced by them (van Holst Pellekaan, 2013). They fought against the policy that restricted migration of non-Europeans to Australia and finally links were strengthened. Despite of the fact Chinese Australians faced socio-economic disadvantage and diverse origin; they are successful in retaining many of their original cultural and social beliefs that had not been weakened in Australia (Ang, 2014). The health issues among ASTI took place post-colonization; however the scenario for the Chinese Australians is quite different. At the time of immigration, Chinese Australians were quite healthy and superior to Aboriginals health due to strict health requirements during migration. However, with time and increased length of stay, health advantage of Chinese Australians aligned with Aboriginals facing racism and discrimination. This predisposed Chinese in Australia to greater ill health with increased rates of chronic conditions and inefficient self-management practices. Discrimination against Chinese Australians is alarming as compared to Aboriginals who are viewed as visible minority and permanently marginalized due to recent trends in politics of Australia (Markus, 2013). Chinese working hours, language is different that increase their frustration and sense of isolation. This contributed to their mental health problems and emotional disturbances affecting their health and wellbeing. According to a report, Chinese Australians face high shocking rates of discrimination as compared to ASTI as much as 90% by uni versity students (Booth, Leigh Varganova, 2012). It is quite reasonable to say that Chinese faced racial discrimination post-immigration indicating mental health issues as top national priority in Australia. There is present experienced disadvantage as a result of past dispossession and dislocation impacting their health in every form. Apart from health, Aboriginals also face worst housing, occupational, lowest educational, economic, legal and social status or any sort of identifiable sections in the Australian society. The effect of colonization was saddening as they were subjected to racism and discrimination, shrunken traditional lands by European empires. Racism tended to neglect the Aboriginals presence or acknowledge their contribution and impact on Australian society and culture (Herring et al., 2013). This had a serious impact on their health increasing the risk of mental health problems, illnesses and subjected to substance abuse. Mental health problems due to discrimination and disruptive behaviour by healthcare professionals towards Aboriginals and TSI make them hospitalized for behavioural and psychological disorders or any self-harming behaviour (Parker Milroy, 2014). Socia l factors like self-esteem, racism and family violence affect their emotional and social wellbeing increasing the risk for behavioural or emotional difficulties. The assimilation of ATSI into the mainstream facilities in the society can help to mitigate racism and marginalization of this cultural group. Chinese Australians face high rates of cardiovascular diseases where unhealthy diet and lack of physical exercise are the biggest risk factors highlighting an important heath issue (Chen et al., 2012). In the current scenario, Chinese Australians lack seeking of services for mental health needs and welfare provision lacks in the scenario and left unvoiced in the mainstream society. Health care policies and service provisions have also contributed to negative health outcomes for ATSI and Chinese Australians differing on few aspects. ATSI faces cultural barriers that contribute to inequality in healthcare services as they are culturally, politically and socially disadvantaged (Durey, Thompson Wood, 2012). In spite of consistent efforts, policy makers and healthcare professionals are unable to bridge the gap in providing the, fair and equitable services to ATSI. These barriers act as longstanding and challenging issue for Australian government that need immediate consideration. Ethnic or racial disparities act as a challenge for healthcare professionals in providing equitable healthcare services to this cultural group due to distinct culture of ATSI. This cultural group experience bullying, intimidation, fear and lack of cultural sensitivity that greatly affect their psychological and physical health being vulnerable to mental health issues (Ferdinand, Paradies Kelaher, 2013). This affects their equity of access and structural injustices acting as barriers resulting in stigma, discrimination and stereotyping experienced by ATSI. On a contrary, Chinese Australians have migrated to Australia and they are not culturally dominant are at greater risk for poor health outcomes. Language and access to healthcare services are some of the major barriers that results in inequality in healthcare (Chalmers et al., 2014). As Chinese Australians are migrants, it is quite obvious that they would face cultural and language barriers limiting their access to healthcare services. There is strong relationship between literacy levels and limited access suggesting need for improved knowledge of accessible materials and healthcare system for migrant community like Chinese Australians. This situation greatly depicts that this community is homogenous in attitudes, values and beliefs representing a range of cultural perspectives and consequences that they face due to undefined cultural views (Artuso et al., 2013). Chinese culture created a backdrop where their identity forges and requires careful healthcare planning and delivery. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 states that ASTI needs to be included into the mainstream Australian society strengthening social inclusion. This results in poor health outcomes as a result of poor health assessments, GP management plans, allied and team care management. There is less vaccination and access to management of chronic diseases for ATSI results in communicable diseases like hepatitis, tuberculosis, AIDS, infestations and skin infections (Aspin et al., 2012). National Health Survey was trying to address their challenges since decades, however due to low availability of ethnic Chinese doctors expertise in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This is the reason that there is scare research regarding utilization of health services by Chinese Australians. They use less public health services and hospitals due to lack of general Chinese practitioners in the healthcare settings preferring Chinese speaking practitioners. There is lack of cultural sensitivity in healthcare services with barriers like low use of prevention services like breast screening and pap smears and insufficient interpreter services. There is also lack of knowledge about role and existence of ethnic health practitioners that is supported by racial discrimination against Chinese Australians. Due to low communication, low mental health literacy, stigma, service constraints and stigma, there is low utilization of healthcare services by ATSI (Guven Islam, 2015). Chinese Australians contributing to their ill health and poor health outcomes. This clearly depicts that due to economic uncertainty, poor political leadership weakening the parts of Racial Discrimination Act. This gives rise to a powerful assertion cutting through legalistic debate in section 18C of the Act that it is highly illegal to intimidate or offend people based on race, national or ethnic origin or colour (Ford, 2013). This is creating a picture in the country that it is quite reasonable to become a racist weakening the Anti-Discrimination Act and damaging the entire legislation. This high unacceptable level of discrimination and inequality have identified young Chinese Australians to seek drugs or alcohol and predispose them to high risk of mental health issues like depression, frustration or stress. The above difference between the two cultural groups depicts that being the original population of Australia, ATSI are marginalized and disadvantaged as compared to non-indigenous population. They face high discrimination and racism in their own country due to cultural insensitivity towards fulfilling their cultural needs. There is discrimination against ATSI post-colonization as they are away from mainstream society services although being the original population of Australia. On a contrary, it is quite obvious that Chinese Australians are immigrants and face challenges in accessing healthcare services due to language barrier and lack of Chinese practitioners. There is lack of ethno-specific services that prevent this particular cultural group from seeking and accessing mental health services and welfare provision fulfilling their needs. From the above discussion, it can be concluded that historical and current events greatly impact health of cultural groups in Australia. Culture and social factors greatly affect health and perceptions about seeking treatment and diagnosis. Racial differences give rise to health disparities in the healthcare system where ATSI and Chinese Australians experience inequalities in healthcare. Due to colonization and stolen lands, ATSI were marginalized and disadvantaged being deprived of mainstream healthcare services. This had a serious impact on their health increasing the risk of mental health problems, illnesses and subjected to substance abuse. Chinese Australians are immigrants who came to Australia during Gold Rush period and face racial discrimination at alarming rates. 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