African-Australians Health - Case Study Example

lth Nееds Аssеssmеnt Оn Аfriсаn Аustrаliаns Name Institution All Australian citizens have the right to quality health care irrespective of whether they are natives or not. Majority of the African Australians are experiencing various health challenges that require immediate intervention. The major cause of these challenges is the existing socio-economic status and strict laws which are not favorable to foreigners. The Africans in Australia also do not fully understand the country’s health care system since most of them are either refugees or immigrants. Australia is a second home and a country where they are expecting better living standards (Wadsworth, Y. 2011). Their dreams are not valid as expected due to the existing health demands. Australian public health officials have the responsibility of enhancing good health practices by providing equal health opportunities for everyone. Therefore, African -Australians health needs require constant assessment and evaluation. The Approach The best approach involves analyzing the existing medical services that each African Australian can easily access. According to Rho (2013) living standards have a direct link to health needs. People who are learned and have decent jobs can easily afford quality health care services. Majority of such people can afford to pay their medical expenses through various insurance policies. Most of them know the essence of quality health and their needs are limited as compared to the poor population. Therefore, finances play a key role in determining the health needs of various groups of people. The existence of various social classes between the African -Australians and the native Australians has greatly affected the quality of health services and needs. The latter group of people has little health needs as compared to the rest since most of them are favored by the existing health policies. The most important act should be sealing the existing gap between the natives and foreigners in the health care department. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2015) further states that all citizens require equal treatment in meeting their health needs. Methods Various statistical methods like data collection, analysis and interpretation need to apply in identifying the relative and absolute values of the health needs of each African-Australian family. The most appropriate step should involve visiting each and every home to physically conduct a general assessment. Visitation is an important step which provides direct interaction with the families for easy access of information. There is an opportunity for conducting oral interviews and making observations which provide a clear picture on the socio-economic state of each family. Another important factor is to understand the fact that health needs vary across different age groups. The African –Australian youth should also be given an opportunity to explain the challenges they encounter in meeting their health needs. Public health issues should be approached while keeping in mind that the younger people are not prone to specific diseases which mostly affect older people and vice versa. The ability to maintain certain health standards also depends on the level of education and financial status (Rho, 2013). There should be formulation and implementation of ways that promote quality public health education to all the African –Australians. A favorable environment for conducting business and employment opportunities need to be available to meet specific health needs. Robinson (2012) further suggests the use of modern technology in performing assessments. He proposes the use of computers in recording, storing and analyzing statistical data. Public health officials can use the internet as a platform for exchanging vital medical information. The easiest way to have an accurate result of the health needs of each person is through comparison and contrast. All the data should be collected and uploaded to the internet where the information is accessed from a central location and later assessed. The final outcome makes it easier to make important decisions after identifying the major health needs of each person. Public health institutions will then be in a position to implement policies that will prevent the occurrence of new health challenges. Public health officials should therefore be willing to use the internet for research and education purposes. The entire process of assessing the various health needs will be more effective when community members work closely with the public health researchers. Working as a team facilitates provision of technical support and advice that leads to meeting the various health needs. Information should be exchanged willingly and all the major issues approached in a professional manner. Professionalism in research is enhanced through training the relevant health care providers on ways of handling the various health demands in the community. The same training should be given to community members to assist in maintaining quality health standards. Training should be very practical for a specified period of time that will ensure each member understands all the practical concepts (Karen & Helen, 2013). Literature review Background information Majority of the African-Australians have numerous health needs as a result of staying in a foreign country. Such people are not guaranteed quality healthcare since they are non-natives of Australia. They are limited from affording quality health by very many factors which are basically socio-economic and political. Introduction According to Reiner (2010) African-Australians find it hard to integrate in the Australian healthcare system. The major challenge is the lack of knowledge on how the systems operate. They are also discriminated upon by the native communities and therefore denied their right to health education and health care. Such people receive constant help from international humanitarian agencies due to lack of employment and unfavorable government policies. For example, a refugee is restricted from getting any form of employment in the country of refuge. This policy means that such people cannot afford to enter a hospital of their choice and seek quality medication. Their living standards keep on deteriorating day by day and the health needs increase drastically. Assessment should therefore be conducted on the camping sites where the majorities stay. She further explains that most of the African traditional beliefs and practices have a negative impact on their health. The same concept is backed by Brough, Bond & Hunt (2004). All refugees need to be enlightened on the modern ways of promoting and maintaining the best health standards. The scope of knowledge should involve education on medication, personal and environmental hygiene. All the barriers to accessing better health services should be removed through the help of qualified public health personnel. An important culture of screening all the immigrants on their arrival should be maintained. This activity should be one with a high capacity of detecting any existing or upcoming medical condition on the refugees. There should be a follow-up program that will enhance treatment of any ailments and prevention of spread of infections. The government needs to improve the Australian health care system and make it available and affordable to all African-Australians. The above approaches and methods will enhance provision of quality health services to all the refugees and meet their specific health needs. Assessing the health needs of refugees should be on a broader perspective (Stevens & Gillam, 1998). The assessment should cover the physical, social, economical and mental well-being of a person. Physical health can easily be dealt with through provision of various medications. A specific drug may be prescribed to a sick person who will later get well. Every form of physical injury can easily be treated. Poor health practices can also be done away through introduction of training sessions on proper hygienic practices. The social and economic needs require full participation and support from the government and international organizations. The existing laws on refugees need to be reviewed in a way that they will offer education and employment opportunities. The most important health aspect that requires needs a greater priority is the mental health. Most of the refugees are victims of war and violence which has left permanent traumatizing memories. Some people have become insane due serious mental torture from past harrowing experiences. Such people require the services of a medical psychologist who will take them through various counseling sessions (Naidoo & Will, 2009). A SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis is necessary in the identification of the best available health needs assessment techniques. Such an analysis facilitates formulation of the best policies in the achievement of specific objectives that relate to health needs. The Strength aspect is an internal assessment policy that analyzes the best public health practices in helping the refugees. The practices should enhance ease in the improvement of health standards. All systems should be flexible enough to provide the necessary resources in the process of making the African-Australians adapt to new health environments. These strengths should also involve a program that boosts the public health workers knowledge and skills in improving the general heath conditions of refugees. An analysis of the Weaknesses of the existing health care program helps to identify the existing gaps in the healthcare system. Proper mechanisms have to be put in place to ensure all efforts are driven towards uplifting the living standards of the target population. A thorough analysis of the strengths and weaknesses will enable the Public health officials to make proper preparations in handling various health needs. External factors that affect the assessment process are analyzed under the opportunities and threat categories. The health personnel should coordinate with the government and other health stakeholders in providing health improvement opportunities. The African-Australian refugees should be treated equally with the natives. There must be avenues of providing free education and engaging of communities in healthcare provision activities. Every available opportunity that can be used in improving the health standard of a refugee should be used to the maximum. The final analysis should be on the threats that hinder a smooth health care assessment process. All the external factors like lack of support from the natives and poor regulatory policies should be handled in a professional and diplomatic process. Refugees need to enjoy the basic human rights just like the natives. They should not be subjected to suffering, but instead be provided with resources and facilities that enhance their general health. The role of public health officials should basically be empowering the refugees. The latter needs the right knowledge and skills in healthcare. Healthy lifestyles should therefore be maintained irrespective of the existing government laws and regulations. According to Steinbac (2009) the international humanitarian laws must always be adhered by all governments in the care and treatment of refugees. The final outcome from the SWOT analysis should then facilitate proper planning and choosing the appropriate implementation program. This program should come after a thorough review of proposals from various public health officials and narrowing down to the best option (Renault, 2014). Appropriate people should be identified who are willing to fully commit themselves in helping the refugees. Murray (1999) proposes the provision of enough facilities at all levels of the program in order to make their work flow smoothly. Most situations pose a great challenge that is beyond the control of public health officials. A deeper strategic analysis will always provide a solution. Every challenge requires a slow and systematic approach that will ensure everything changes towards the right direction. For instance, the African traditional beliefs and practices should be faced out in a systematic manner. This process should involve explaining and providing better health services that are seen by all to be beneficial. Conclusion It is necessary to realize that refugees do not receive fair treatment in foreign countries. Their health needs keep on compounding due to the poor living conditions and lack of basic knowledge and skills. Most humanitarian agencies and public health organizations overlook the mental health of such individuals. They only provide food and financial support which does not involve the whole health aspect. Mental health should remain an area of concern and every member of the community must participate in meeting the health needs of refugees and immigrants like the African –Australians. The government has a mandate of preventing the occurrence of incidences of suffering that are commonly seen amongst the refugee populations. References Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2015). National health priority areas. Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/national-health-priority-areas/ Brough, M. K., Bond, C., & Hunt, J. A. (2004). Strong in the city: Towards a strength-based approach in indigenous health promotion. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 15(3), 215–220. Retrieved from http://eprints.qut.edu.au/10167/1/10167.pdf Innes-Walker, K., & Edwards, H. E. (2013). A wound management education and training needs analysis of health consumers and the relevant health workforce and stocktake of available education and training activities and resources. Wound Practice and Research, 21(3), 104–109. Retrieved from http://www.awma.com.au/journal/2103_01.pdf Murray, S. A. (1999). Experiences with ‘rapid appraisal’ in primary care: Involving the public in assessing health needs, orientating staff, and educating medical students. British Medical Journal, 318(7181), 440–444. Retrieved from http://www.bmj.com/content/318/7181/440 Naidoo, J., & Wills, J. (2009). Foundations for health promotion (3rd ed.), London, England: Elsevier.Chapter 18, ‘Assessing Health Needs’ (pp. 253–267) Renault, V. (2014). ‘SWOT analysis: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.’ In KU Work Group for Community Health and Development (Eds.), Learn a skill. Retrieved from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-resources/swot-analysis/main Rho, Y. 2013.Socioeconomic equity in health care utilization in South Korea.Retrieved from http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/4817/1/Rho_YS_PhD_Thesis_Final_Nov_2013_PDF.pdf Steinbach, R. (2009). Concepts of need and social justice. Retrieved from http://www.healthknowledge.org.uk/public-health-textbook/medical-sociology-policy-economics/4c-equality-equity-policy/concepts-need-sjustice Stevens, A., & Gillam, S. (1998). Needs assessment: From theory to practice. British Medical Journal, 316(7142), 1448–1452. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1113121/ Wadsworth, Y. (2011). Everyday evaluation on the run (3rd ed.) Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press. Retrieved from the Torrens University Australia Library databases. via the Course Readings List: http://onlinelibrary.tua.edu.au/pubh6007#MODULE1 Chapter 5, ‘Models and Techniques’ (pp. 138–139) Read More