Analysis of Present Indigenous Health Status - Report Example

Impact of Governmental Policies on Australian Indigenous Society: Analysis of Present Indigenous Health Status The Australian society is one of the world’s most culturally diverse societies and the country’s indigenous or native population constitutes around 2.5% of the total population (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007). It would be easy to assume that the native population of the country would enjoy equal status, health and benefits as the non native population. However, the various governmental polices through the years have severely affected Australia’s native population and their descendants. Different governments which have governed the country have followed different policies such as segregation, assimilation, integration and reconciliation. However, these policies have not benefited the people as expected and the indigenous population is at a social, political and economic disadvantage when compared to their non indigenous counterparts. These factors have had a direct impact on the overall health and well being of the aborigines. The purpose of this report is to critically analyze the effect of the segregation and assimilation policies on the current health status of the aboriginals. The Policies of Segregation and Assimilation: Australia was originally inhabited by the aboriginal people. However, the life of the indigenous society suffered devastating and irreversible changes due to successive episodes of immigration into the country. The country saw an influx of European settlers in the year 1788 which was followed by immigrants from different countries and societies (Australian Government, 2008, p.23). These settlers organized themselves into colonies and disrupted the aboriginal way of life and society (MSN Encarta, 2008, p.4). The arrival of the immigrants signalled a drastic reduction in the population of the aborigines. Hostile aboriginals were killed by the immigrants while aborigines also suffered fatally due to various European diseases such as small pox, tuberculosis and measles. Since these immigrants usurped the land and resources of the aborigines they were forced to live in the fringes of the immigrant colonies. The aborigines were also domesticated and made to work on farms (MSN Encarta, 2008, p.4). The Christian missionaries in the mid 1800’s provided food and other needs to these aborigines in turn expecting these people to let go of their basic traditions and adapt themselves to the English way of life. The gold rush in 1850’s saw another wave of immigration and between the years 1880 and 1911 many restrictive polices were imposed on the aborigines. Children were removed from their families. The aborigines’ were also segregated from the settlers and housed in small reserves and worked in farms. They were constantly supervised by white officials (MSN Encarta, 2008, p.4). Thus protectionist and discriminatory polices started well before the official assimilation policy. The assimilation policy only made things worse. In the year 1901 the colonies of the immigrant federated themselves into a nation called as Commonwealth of Australia which formulated the policy of Assimilation to integrate all Australians including the aboriginals into the English Speaking culture under which all new immigrants were expected to learn English (Australian Government, 2008, pp.23-24). Fertile reserves housing aboriginals were closed down and the lands offered to white settlers and soldiers of the Second World War. This was done to prevent the aboriginal population from increasing and more number of aboriginals suffered. The dispossessed people were housed in smaller reserves where grave restrictions were imposed on every aspect of their lives. They were either involved in menial jobs or provided by the government (MSN Encarta, 2008, p.4). All these developments prompted the authorities to formulate an assimilation policy. Though assimilation was officially agreed upon by the heads of State and Territory Aboriginal affairs authorities in the year 1937 it was only by the year 1951 that all Australian governments adopted the policy (Australasian Legal Information Institute, 2008). According to the Native Welfare Conference of Commonwealth in the year 1961 the policy of assimilation “means that all Aborigines and part-Aborigines are expected eventually to attain the same manner of living as other Australians and to live as members of a single Australian community enjoying the same rights and privileges, accepting the same responsibilities, observing the same customs and influenced by the same beliefs, as other Australians” (MSN Encarta, 2008, p.5). The intent of the assimilation policy was to include all aborigines into the Anglo Celtic Australian society completely eliminating their indigenous cultures and traditions in addition preventing the growth of the native population. Assimilation measures even included drastic ones such as removing aboriginal children of mixed parentage who later came to be known as the “stolen generations” from their families and adapting them into the white Australian culture. Though the assimilation policy was officially discontinued in 1960 it has had a devastating effect on the aboriginal population. Successive governmental polices such as integration, reconciliation or multiculturalism could not do much to ward of the ill effects of the assimilation policy. The intention of the policy was to protect the indigenous population however; it has managed to wipe out the race completely except in some isolated parts of Australia who live under constant socio economic pressures and ill health. The Health of the Indigenous Society: Prior to the European immigration the aboriginals were a healthy community with no conspicuous diseases that plague them today. However, at present there is a serious health inequality between the aboriginal and non aboriginal population. The neglect, racism, inequality, the social and economic disadvantages such as lack of education, poor nutrition, poverty, unemployment, lack of proper housing and infrastructure facilities have all contributed to the present deplorable state of aboriginal health. Health refers not only to the physical well being but also to the social, emotional and cultural well being of the aboriginals (Luschwitz, 2008). The wide disparity between indigenous and non indigenous population can be understood from the points mentioned below: The indigenous population of the country is more likely have higher rates of hospitalisation and health problems when compared to the non indigenous population (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008). The incidence of heart diseases, respiratory and kidney diseases are 3, 9-11 and 9 times higher in the indigenous population when compared to the other inhabitants (Luschwitz, 2008). The indigenous population has 20 years less life expectancy and the infant mortality rates are thrice higher to the non indigenous population (Luschwitz, 2008). Diabetes affects around 10-30% of the indigenous population (Better Health Channel, 2008). Newborn indigenous babies are likely to be underweight and children suffer from middle ear infections (Better Health Channel, 2008). Indigenous children are more likely to suffer from malnutrition and gastroenteritis. Infectious diseases such as HIV/Aids, syphilis, salmonellosis, syphilis and tuberculosis are more prevalent in the indigenous population rather than the non-native population. Aboriginals suffer from poor mental health too. Homicides and suicides are higher among the indigenous population. The feelings of despair and low self esteem makes the aborigines turn towards alcohol and drugs. The influence of these drugs makes them indulge in crimes and violence (Macer, 1998). The aborigines also suffer from obesity problems due to the high amount of refined foods they consume (Macer, 1998). Also the aboriginals are concentrated in remote areas of the country making access to medical facilities very difficult. Non availability of transport and the high costs involved in treatment also made matters worse (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2006). The aborigines still don’t trust the white doctors and the treatment they receive at public hospitals is highly distressing. Governmental Policies and Present Health Status of the Indigenous Society: An Analysis The current health status of the aborigines is in such a grave situation that it has even prompted some experts to term the situation as a crisis. Assimilation and the earlier segregation policy practised by the governments have resulted in inadequate housing, education, unemployment and lack of land ownership not to mention loss of cultural identity and low self-esteem. The present ill health of the aboriginal population is a consequence of the governmental polices of assimilation and segregation. Studies have proved that education plays a significant and positive role in improving the health and welfare of the aboriginals. However, the segregation and assimilation polices has negatively impacted the education of the aborigines. From the time the Europeans migrated into the country aboriginal culture and education has been given a step motherly treatment. Till the year 1972 schools refused admissions to aboriginal children if any objections were raised by the white settlers and according to the Board of National Education it was “impracticable to attempt to provide any form of education for the children of the blacks” (Reconciliaction, 2008). Aboriginal schools were established on reserves with no proper teachers and the aboriginal children had access to proper primary and secondary education only in 1950’s and 1960’s respectively (Reconciliaction, 2008). Around 40% of the aboriginal children are affected by repeated middle ear infections which lead to permanent or temporary hearing loss making education a difficult task for them (Australian Government, 2005, p.22). Also unemployment and poverty in the aboriginal households prevent the children from getting regular nutritious meals. This leads to various associated problems in the children such as malnutrition and anaemia. Reports also mention that around 13% to 22% of children under five years are underweight (Australian Government, 2005, p.23). Generally these undernourished children lack the ability to concentrate in school and have a lazy disposition. The governmental polices in question have had a direct impact on the employment and income of the aborigines. Aboriginals have been plagued by unemployment and low income problems right from the time of colonization and assimilation. It has been estimated that 25% of the aboriginal males and 20% of the females are unemployed which is more than double the unemployment ratios of the non indigenous population (Bailie, 2008). The present unemployment scenario can be attributed to inadequate education, lack of employment opportunities in the agricultural sector and the reluctance of other sectors to employ aborigines (Bailie, 2008). Even if employed the aboriginals are offered only low paid menial jobs as they are unskilled. Also the indigenous population is refused work due to their health conditions and their social behaviour which further affects the health condition of the aborigines. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2005), aborigines are violent, commit crimes and are prone sexual crimes. This explains the statistics that an aborigine is 13 times more prone to imprisonment and they comprise around 32% of the prisoners. Also aborigines who have been imprisoned have more incidences of drug abuse and mental illness. This is also another reason why they are refused work. Also indigenous population have higher percentage of family and community violence. More number of aborigines have been victims of personal violence also (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005). Lower levels of income and unemployment lead to stress, drug and alcohol abuse which complicate the situation further. Housing and inadequate living conditions is another major factor influencing the health of the aborigines. The aborigines mostly dwell in poor quality houses with minimum or no significant facilities overcrowded with people. These kind of unhealthy living conditions are the cause of a variety of diseases in the aborigines. The aborigines have been in a disadvantageous position with respect to housing facilities right from the time of colonization and assimilation. European settlers amassed the aboriginal lands pushing them into reserves and in worse situation some of them were forced to live as fringe dwellers. The indigenous population has a spiritual link with the land and land is a predominant factor for their health and well being. The housing needs of these aborigines are generally managed by indigenous housing communities. The houses are of poor quality and lack infrastructural facilities (Howson, 2003). These indigenous houses don’t have proper sanitation, hygiene and water supply facilities. These dwellings are also infested with pests. Many aboriginals suffer from respiratory, gastrointestinal and infectious diseases due to the poor housing and hygiene conditions. Though diseases were rampant among aborigines they don’t receive proper treatment to alleviate the diseases aggravating the ill health of the aborigines. The native population of Australia has been severely disadvantaged by the settlers of the country and through the various governmental policies such as segregation and assimilation. The indigenous society has been completely dismantled and suffers from inadequate housing, education and employment opportunities. As physical and mental health is always a consequence of the above mentioned socio economic indicators the present health status of the aborigines is in a bad situation. There is a wide disparity between the health status of the indigenous and non indigenous population. This situation should be amended and the aboriginals who have always received an inferior treatment should be granted equal status and benefits by the government thereby vastly improving their present health status. Word count: 2106 References: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007). Population Distribution, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, 2006. Retrieved September 7, 2008 from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/b06660592430724fca2568b5007b8619/14e7a4a075d53a6cca2569450007e46c!OpenDocument Australian Bureau of Statistics (2005). Australian Social Trends, 2005. Retrieved September 7, 2008 from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/a3c671495d062f72ca25703b0080ccd1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2008). Health Conditions and Illness. 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