The Indigenous Population in the USA - Research Proposal Example

Indigenous Introduction The history of indigenous population in USA and Australia is not limited to the sphere of geographical discoveries andcolonization. Instead, the whole land in USA and Australia were possessed by the indigenous people. The USA and Australia possesses similarity in colonization and attitude towards indigenous population. But one can see difference in design and implementation of health systems/ services in USA and Australia. The indigenous population in U SA faces the problem of unemployment, low rate in educational development, and poor living conditions. But the federal government shows keen interest and attentiveness to help the indigenous population to be the part of the main stream of American society. Besides, the American indigenous health system/ services can be adopted by the Australian authorities to uplift indigenous population. Thesis statement: An analysis to unearth the scope of indigenous health systems/ services in the United States, by exploring its design and implementation, and its scope in Australian context. I. Indigenous health system/ services in the US for the Native Americans. The Native Americans include a number of tribal groups in USA with similarity in cultural values. For instance, the Native American population in American continent, especially in USA is the original inhabitants or the owners of the land. The different tribal communities within American Indians or Native Americans and the Alaskan Natives with difference in belief, cultural values, customs and language include the aboriginal population of America. Earlier, they were the one and only owners of the whole continent. But later, due to colonization from European nations, they were forced to lead their life in reserved areas. For instance, the colonization resulted in high density of population and new deadly diseases which were unknown to the native population. Besides, colonization resulted in ecological changes in America and badly affected the American Indians. When compared to the general population in USA, one can see that the Native Indians face severe health problems and lower average life-span. Kirch (2008), states that longevity of indigenous peoples in North America is lesser than that of national population. But some of the Native Americans were ready to assimilate themselves to the mainstream of American society through interracial marriage relations. But still, a small group of Native Americans are not ready to give up their traditional mode of life and face the problem of economical and social disparity. In addition, poor health condition due to low immunity threatens their survival in the modern world. The members of Native American community believe in life after death, individual rights, paternalism and autonomous life. So, the task undertaken by the federal government to uplift the same is difficult to fulfill. Besides, the Native Americans lead a life which is too close to nature. So, their health is interconnected with nature and ecological balance. But the ethnocentric attitude and life interconnected with nature is not satisfactory to a majority of Americans. In addition, the Native American community possesses their traditional mode of health practices which is closely related to their lifestyle. So, the root cause of Native Americans’ degradation is the conflict between tradition health practices and modern health practices. The first step to be taken by the federal government must be the resolution of conflict between traditional and modern health practices/services. For instance, the government can seek help from health practitioners and nurses from Native American community. Besides, involvement of public and private agencies which serve in health care scenario can play an important role. Without considering these facts, it will be difficult to design an effective Indigenous health system/ service for the Native Americans in the US. II. Design In the United States, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which was implemented in 1976, authorized Indian Health Service to implement health care service for Native Indians. McKenzie (2007) makes clear that the Indian Health Service or IHS aims to raise the health condition of Native American population to the maximum achievable point. The foretold agency is under the Department of Health & Human Services and provides service to 12 areas within 35 states in the United States. The heath care services provided by the IHS include: 1. Primary health care services: 2. Ancillary Services: 3. Specialty care: The Primary health care services include treatment for primary health needs of Native Americans. The Ancillary Services include diagnosing health problems that can be seen among Native Americans. This facility detects acute diseases and health problems that can be seen among the foretold indigenous population. The usage of innovative technology in diagnosing diseases helps to provide specialized treatment. For instance, the Specialty care provided by the specialists in medical care helps the IHS to implement its programs in an easier way. Williams (2007), makes clear that the ultimate aim of IHS is to provide best possible health services. All these health care services are implemented in the form of direct (on site) care with the help of private and public service providers in the health care scenario. Besides, the IHS is an agency uniquely formulated to provide health care service for the American Indians. Almgren (2007) states that the indigenous population in America depends upon IHS to meet their health care needs. So, IHS helps to reduce health problems among Native Americans and absorbs the same to the main stream of American society, without any discrimination or marginalization. III. Implementation The federal, state and local governments within the structure of US government consider that proper designing of health systems for the Native Americans will lead the same towards development. Besides, public health is an integral part of economic and social development. Segregation and marginalization based on racism is another problem which hinders the progress of the foretold community. Whaley (2000) opines that the best possible way to deal with health problems among Native Americans is to consider their traditional understanding of health and illness. As a small group within Native American community shows hesitation to integrate into the mainstream of society, the measures adopted by the authorities to implement health systems and services is crucial. Fixico (2006) makes clear that the IHS provides health care services with the help of a group of trained staff. First of all, the Native American hospital, constructed in 1882 was an important step towards an effective health system/service for the Native Americans. When the tribal leaders agreed to transfer their land to the federal government, there was an agreement that the government will provide sovereignty to the tribal people and will provide educational and health services. So, tribal sovereignty or autonomous rule within Native American community is considered with due care. The Snyder Act of 1921 was an important step from the side of the government on health care for the Native Americans. O’Brien (1993) states that the Snyder Act implemented in 1921 coordinated all services for Indians under a single act. In 1954, the Transfer Act transferred the foretold responsibility to the Public Health Service or PHS. Earlier, this responsibility was vested upon the department of Interior’s BIA. As pointed out earlier, the whole responsibility was transferred to Indian health Service, or IHS, a special agency to provide health care services for the Native Americans. Besides, the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act in 1975 authorized the IHS to be the overall authority for the administration and operation programs, especially health programs. Hale (2002) states that the foretold act helped the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) to serve the Indian population without further interference. So, the implementation of health systems for the Native Americans is strictly based on the co-ordination among different agencies within the heath care sector in the United States of America. IV. Analysis As pointed out earlier, the IHS plays the most important role in the implementation of health systems for the Native Americans in USA. For instance, IHS operates a number of hospitals, clinics, and other health programs. Young (1994) opines that current health status of natives in America is closely connected to its historical context. Besides, the authorities are aware of the fact that the goal to raise the health status of Native Americans is the government’s responsibility. But Jaimes (1992) states that there exists high infant mortality rate among the Native Americans who live in reserved areas. When one analyzes the scope and effectiveness of health system/ services, it is evident that assistance and active participation of IHS, like health management training programs aiming to develop human resources within the foretold community proves effective. From another angle of view, co-ordination and resource management with the help of federal, state and local aid is effective to an extent. Utter (2001) makes clear that the decision made by IHS to transfer power to tribal population on operating its service units is successful to an extent. In addition, proper evaluation of existing health care services and timely change in policy making and implementation levels is helpful to plan innovative programs in future. The health care service provided by the authorities is not limited to the sphere of health care. Instead, it extends to effective rehabilitation and community development programs. The IHS and other private/ public agencies do not operate in an isolated form. Instead, IHS acts the role of a principal federal advocate for the natives. For instance, Goldstein (2007) states that the Resource and Patient Management System under the direct control of IHS is well equipped to provide effective health care to the needy. So, one can see that the unique mode of health care service, with a central authority (agency) to control and co-ordinate all other agencies ensure comprehensive health services to the Native Americans. V. The innovative aspects of American health system/ services that can be implemented in Australian context. The history of Australian aborigines or natives is similar to that of American. The geographical discoveries due to industrialization in Europe resulted in colonization of the Australian continent. Earlier, the Australian natives were the real owners of land. Berndt (1974), states that the life of Australian Aborigines is based upon harmony with nature and they consider themselves as the part of nature. Colonization and permanent settlement forced the natives to shrink themselves to certain colonies. But traditional mode of health care practices helped them to keep themselves away from diseases. Clarke (2003) opines that misunderstanding between Australian Aboriginal population and the European settlers caused cultural problems. In addition, the natives feel themselves as discarded from the mainstream of Australian society. The cultural characteristics, beliefs and rituals of Australian natives are unique but it hinders them from entering the mainstream of Australian society. For instance, poor health status that can be seen among aborigines in Australia is closely connected to their socio-economic status. But Jupp (2001) makes clear that the 19th and 20th Centuries show gradual progress in Australian indigenous economy. The innovative aspects of health system/services provided by the American government to Native Americans can be implemented in Australia because both these lands have certain similar characteristics. 1. Absorbing innovative aspects of American context, the overall responsibility must be vested upon an agency which plays the role of a coordinating power. 2. In America, utmost importance is given to public and private agencies in health care scenario and this can be applied in Australian context. 3. In America, health care is not limited to the sphere of medical treatment but it extends to a number of community development programs. This can be applied among natives in Australia. 4. The American government learned a lot from traditional medical/ health care practices among natives and adopted the same in formulating and implementing health care programs. This can be applied in Australian context. 5. The Natives in America enjoy unique status as the real owners of land and this helps them to be an integral part of multicultural and multiracial society in America. So, special status must be provided to the natives in Australia and this will help them to be the integral part of Australian society. Conclusion Summing, coordination and cooperation among public and private agencies within American health care scenario plays an important role in the success of its health systems/ services for the Native Americans. The role of IHS as a coordinating agency is vital in designing and implementing health systems/ services for the Native Americans. Besides, proper coordination among public and private agencies is most helpful for the successful implementation of different programs aiming to uplift the Native Americans. In addition, almost all the innovative aspects of health systems/ services in America can be implemented in Australian context. References Almgren, G. R. (2007). Health care politics, policy, and services: a social justice analysis. USA: Springer Publishing Company. Berndt, R. M. (1974). Australian Aboriginal religion, Volume 1. The Netherlands: Brill Archive. Clarke, F. G. (2003). Australia in a Nutshell: A Narrative History. Malaysia: Rosenberg Publishing. Fixico, D. L. (2006). Daily life of Native Americans in the twentieth century. USA: Greenwood Publishing Group. Goldstein, D.E. (2007). Medical informatics 20/20: quality and electronic health records through collaboration, open solutions, and innovation. USA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Hale, L. (2002). Native American education: a reference handbook. USA: ABC-CLIO. Jaimes, M. A. (1992). The State of Native America: genocide, colonization, and resistance. USA: South End Press. Jupp, J. (2001). The Australian people: an encyclopedia of the nation, its people and their origins. Australia: Cambridge University Press. Kirch, W. (2008). Encyclopedia of Public Health. USA: Springer. McKenzie, J. (2007). An Introduction to Community Health. USA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. OBrien, S. (1993). American Indian Tribal Governments. USA: University of Oklahoma Press. Utter, J. (2001). American Indians: answers to todays questions. USA: University of Oklahoma Press. Whaley, B. B. (2000). Explaining illness: research, theory, and strategies. USA: Routledge. Williams, R. A. (2007). Eliminating healthcare disparities in America: beyond the IOM report. USA: Springer. Young, T. K. (1994). The health of Native Americans: toward a biocultural epidemiology. USA: Oxford University Press. Read More