Societal impact on the health of the Indigenous Australian - Essay Example

? Societal impact on the health of the Indigenous Australian School Societal impact on the health of the Indigenous Australian Among theindigenous people of Australia there is a troubling trend of poor health and early death among adults and their desendants. Many popular theories that have sought to define this particular issue have focused solely on the health problems of the Australians. The purpose of this research paper will be to not only examine many of the leading causes of natural death and why the Australian indigenous tribe seem to be so very susceptible, but also many of the social issues that help exacerbate these health issues. By choosing to look outside of the previously studied range of possibilities and tying many of the social influences to the cause of illness in the aborigines, the theory is that a commonality will be found that links many of these conditions to a relatable instance. When looking for a source for any particular illness afflicting any single population, it is incumbent on the reader to have a proper appreciation of the state of the Australian Aborigines tribe in their current environment. By first examining the declining population numbers in general, this paper will prove that the fact the tribe is in a state of decline cannot be disputed. Behind this spiral stands many theories and arguments which center upon medicine and medical solutions, ignoring the influence of the community in which they reside. Presenting the findings of this paper in a clear and concise manner, the reader will find that many social initiatives could in fact play a role in assisting the indigenous tribes to better circumstances. By recognizing the societal influences to poor health and death for the Australian aborigines exist and that medical solutions can certainly be found for many of their current problems, this paper will show the effectiveness of the combination of both schools of thought. Alongside the benefits of applying social science to a medical issue the research will further prove the profound fact that each specialty, medicine and sociology both have a useful and vital role to play in forging ahead to find the path forward for the Australian Aborigines. Discussion Babies that were carried to term by the women of the indigenous Aborigines are far more likely to die than those born to the non-indigenous population of Australia (Thomson 2010). This stark, bitter fact is but an underlying concern for the indigenous population of Australia. The larger investigation has centered on why the women of indigenous descent are prone to giving birth to weaker, smaller babies. Over the course of several years many studies have been exclusively devoted to finding the exact cause to the continued reduction in babies. In many cases of indigenous baby death it was theorized that the mothers own ill health contributed to the child’s poor health. While that is a verifiable fact the story does not end there. The remaining facts regarding births are grounded heavily in a sociological foundation. Indigenous women have been found to have more children at a younger age than any of their counterparts. This statistic is a solid indication that low education, lack of good living conditions, or prevailing cultural stigmas regarding marriage plays a direct role in child birth. Early child birth plays a direct role in declining health among the mothers and infants of the indigenous tribes. Another very possible contribution to the low successful birth rates is the very small weight that the indigenous babies have on average when compared with infants born to non-indigenous parents. This initial set back, combined with the overall living conditions that many Australians face is simply too much for many indigenous infants. The fact that the low birth rate is only a starting point in the decimation of the Indigenous Aborigines of Australia is a symptom of the poor health that a typical majority of the native population suffers with. Many of the percentages of aborigines with common maladies are substantially higher than the mainstream portion of the Australian population (Thomson 2010). With a decidedly disproportionate amount of the indigenous population contracting diseases such as Cancer, Diabetes and the silent but every deadly rate of heart attacks, the hurdles for the Australian Indigenous culture continued flourishing as a tribe is thrown further into doubt. As research continues into the pattern of sickness in the indigenous tribes it becomes clear that once again it is a combination of sociological forces in tandem with medicinal issues that are at the heart of many of the indigenous Australians woes. Cancer is a prime example to what extent aboriginal cultural influence is assisting the downward slope of their population. Thomson (2010) clearly showed that death from cancer and lung associated issues was noticeable higher in both indigenous men and women, than in those not born into the aboriginal society. Liver issues due to the abuse of alcohol also are disproportionately high. The ability to cope with addiction and moderation is not easily available for most of the indigenous population. A plethora of common medical issues point to a lack of societal support for the culture as a whole. At nearly epidemic proportions Kidney issues and Diabetes, rage among the population as a reason of mounting concern. By not having the societal structures in place to thwart the spread of the destructive habits such as smoking, excessive dependence on sugar and drugs in general, the aborigine’s culture is suffering the pangs of having to toil through the result. Of the many medical and physical reasons that do in fact bear substantial weight when considering he causes of the indigenous Australian penchant for illness, it is of primary importance not to overlook the mental state of the indigenous population as a whole. As Karlsen (2002) theorized , by placing proper emphasis on the compelling reasons that drive the indigenous to disregard common knowledge and continue their clearly destructive patterns, we will identify the means to change these patterns. Understanding the cultural and social drives that serve to propel the indigenous culture forward will illuminate the approach necessary when attempting to define the very complex issue of health among the indigenous tribe of Australia. Taking time to look at the results of relevant and poignant studies targeting the mental well-being and overall rate of stability among the indigenous tribe of Australia helps to illuminate a dark corner in the health care forum. As Mao (2009) wrote, many of the adults in the aboriginal tribe could very easily describe themselves as depressive or despondent. What is so striking is that this statistic is so much higher in the indigenous population than it is in the general Australian society. With so many factors contributing to the overall mental and physical break down of aboriginal culture, the decline in growth begins to become more understandable. Coupled along with the high rates of depression and negativity is the substantially higher rates of depression among the children of the indigenous people. As Williams (2011) revealed, a real indicator such as sustained depression and despondency in a population as a whole contributes to making the long term outlook ever bleaker. With an excessive amount of decimation running rampant among the indigenous people, recent studies made by Thomson (2010) have pointed to the profoundly disturbing argument that members of the aboriginal tribe are twice as likely to attempt suicide as the rest of the general population. The combination of poor health, among themselves and their relatives and a very low frame of mind, contribute to the mounting mental issues that bombard members of the indigenous tribe. As Reeves (2010) related, without the stable and concrete foundation of social support to catch the sick as they slide down into the pits of depression, the ability to provide real and lasting help for the suffering of the aboriginal tribe is truly difficult to provide. Alongside depression and related mental illness stands the ever present specter of drug use and addiction. Stemming from an initial feeling of helplessness the opportunity for the young and old alike to seek refuge in such an area becomes more likely as other avenues begin and then continue to fade. Just as other cultures have found and faced, it is the demon of drug addiction alone that can completely annihilate a complete generation of healthy people. The only way to combat such an adversary is with continued and sustained education and drastically improved health care. Having looked at only a few of the societal factors, the truly staggering scope of the issues facing the aboriginal tribe of Australia comes definitively into focus. It will take the actions of a determined, diligent society, with sustained drive to help pull the culture from eventual extinction. Turning from the purely physical, the research will prove that many substantial hurdles exist for the indigenous Australian community outside of the medical community. Many among the tribes of Australia, echoing many others from conquered or assimilated societies, have a deep feeling of dispossession that pervades much of their life. Finding that the ruling class of Australia took what was once their own cannot be an easy fact to live with, especially considering their combined cultural descending fortunes. Clearly demonstrated, with little in the way of societal safety nets, little quality education and the continuing litany of existing issues, the ability to rescue themselves is cast further into doubt. Many of the aboriginal tribes, in their efforts to better themselves, find their efforts stymied by the very engines of society that should have been there to aid them in the first place. Discrimination among the employers of Australia for the indigenous Australians is very common. So common in fact that many in the tribe have given up the search for a better life based on the reasoning that no one will give them the opportunity to begin with. Many societal mechanisms in place in better developed societies provide a forum for the alleviation of such social excess. Without such structures existing in their culture the indigenous Australians suffer the full effect of the devastating onslaught that the lack of education can bring. Following hard on the heels of social discrimination, Reading (2009) revealed the twin perils of low income and increasingly bad housing conditions that have begun to play a prominent part in the state of the aboriginal member. Beginning with the lack of education, the general low availability of workable jobs drives the typical aboriginal even further into an economic hole. With little incentive to get out and participate actively in the work force, the incentive to do positive works grows smaller. Add to that the bad habits that have been proven to factor in the aboriginal community, such as smoking and drugs and the societal contributions to the overall health plight of the Australian aboriginals continue to solidify. Much like many people around the world today, rich and poor, educated and illiterate, the nutrition and overall eating habits of the typical aboriginal tribe member has deteriorated to a point of cumulative destruction. As Brown (2011) aptly noted, vital for good health, consuming nutritious foods must be a staple of any good diet, in many aboriginal tribesmen’s case this is not the truth. Obesity runs rampant among members of the aboriginal tribes. Browns (2011) later study went on to argue that this is a factor proven to be a direct cause of the culture and society that the person inhabits. As Burton (2011) revealed, the world over, it has been shown that anyone mired in a depressive state will attempt to find another means to feel even brief moments of solace. As Popay (2011) study found many before them abused their diet destructively, many of the Australian aboriginal tribe has taken en mass to not only over eating but eating poorly. With vitamin level well below most healthy populations, the indigenous Australian people are once again victim to a lack of societal concern. Without even the basic building blocks necessary to keep healthy in today’s world, the state of the health and societies contribution to the overall stagnant state of care is a direct cause to the decline in the population of the aboriginal Australians. It is the obligatory duty of any caring society to reach out and assist a culture in such despair and obvious distress. The model of the Australian aboriginal culture shows the very clear and defining need for a sociological approach to the healing of the aboriginal people as a whole. A single uneducated approach cannot hope to address all of the pressing concerns exhibited by the indigenous people. Taken all at once the picture presented by the preceding evidence would be enough in itself to show a distressed people in need of direct assistance. The loss and resulting weakness of remaining uneducated and ill prepared begin to show themselves on another, perhaps more fundamental level. As Beards (2009) study revealed, many of the younger generation of the Australian Aboriginal tribes are choosing to leave home and not return. The generation that was thought to renew the fortunes for the aboriginal tribes is filtering away. It is a startling fact that this migration is in large part due to the very reasons that the aboriginals need their young to stay. Without a new and better educated generation, the outlook for a positive future for a healthy and thriving indigenous people truly begins to dim. It is fact that the Aboriginal people of Australia have felt the negative impact of colonization. As Loppies (2010) report showed, the soci-political effects of colonization, combined with the deleterious effects of many of the treaties and agreements between competing peoples are a direct cause to the downtrodden state that the indigenous people now find themselves. It is theorized that many believe it was this colonization that began the dwindling of the native people. First being moved from their traditional places then marginalized and excluded as a people the effects of societies interactions with the aboriginal’s of Australia continue to rear their heads. Following the model of several other well established societies, it is no wonder the youth of the tribes choose to live away from what was once the body of the tribe. In no uncertain terms Paradies (2008) studies proved conclusively that society has a direct impact on the overall well-being of the Australian indigenous people. Baum (2011) stated it succinctly when he related that it will be recognizing that real change has to come in the form of revolutionary health care and social support, that these symptoms of social displacement can hope to be healed. Conclusion Based on the findings in the studies presented in this paper there is a common thread that not only runs consistently from one end of the spectrum to the other, but influences every miniscule factor. The same factor that has been at the root of most of the ill thought out or dismal societies is and will always remain poor education. For generations the world over it has been the teachers that have been on the front line of improving the mental capacity of their students. It takes the knowledge and drive of the educated society to provide fruitful and consistent opportunities for the next generation. The vital need for improved social structures to sustain the indigenous population of Australians is essential. Beginning with educating the young and old alike, any forward progress will be marked with a drastic improvement in the native’s ability to become fluent in the fast paced world around them. Education and the ability to choose the best path are essential to anyone’s survival. Next, there must be a sustained and positive approach to the system of health care devoted to the indigenous population. This must happen on two levels, an authoritative position as enforced by their primary physician, but there needs to be a societal engine that promotes positive health goals and images alongside that traditional model. Approaching the issues by treating the symptoms will not bear any fruit in the long run. It will be the recognition that the Australian Indigenous culture as a whole must change before stability can return, that the first real steps are taken. By turning away from the currently accepted poor habits of nutrition and caretaking, the first step in becoming healthier as a culture will begin to emerge. It will be taking small strides in both arenas that mobility will be experienced. Following the desperate need for an improved health care system, is the need for the general Australian public to accept the indigenous Australians on a free and undiscriminating basis. It is the duty and goal of a healthy society to reduce antagonism based on the vagaries of race. By far the most effective method accomplishing the goal of being positive is the recurring need for direct and diligent education, on every level of society. The massive and sustained effort needed to improve the standing of the aboriginal people must be continued. Despite the deluge of negativity regarding the state of the overall population of the natives, the outlook remains full of hope and promise. As Smith (2007) noted in his study, many challenges, political, societal and medicinal stand in the way of a healthy, vibrant Indigenous Australian People. It is necessary to look behind conventional medicine to reveal the true causes that are at the root of majority of the native’s prolonged issues. The only hope of effective medicinal treatment will be alongside and companioned to an effective and efficient social engine that recognizes the individual challenges that face the indigenous culture. Approaching the looming crisis without the benefit of researching the societal implications of the indigenous tribe merely delays the implication of useable research substantially. It will continue to be the combination of societal education, health care and overall substance of support that will determine the fate of the Australian Aboriginal population. The determined efforts and good will of their friends and neighbors are what will make the best medicine. References Baum, F., Begin, M., Houweling, T. A., & Taylor, S. (2009). Changes Not for the Fainthearted: Reorienting Health Care Systems Toward Health Equity Through Action on the Social Determinants of Health. American Journal of Public Health, 99(11). Beard, J., Tomaska, N., Earnest, A., Summerhayes, R., & Morgan, G. (2009). Influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors on rural health. The Australian Journal of Rral health, 17(1), 10-15. Brown, P., & Zavestoski, S. (2011, September). Social Movements in health: an introduction. Sociology of Health and Illness. Retrieved January 27, 2012. Brown, P., Zavestoski, S., McCormick, S., Mayer, B., Morello-Frosch, R., & Gasior Altman, R. (2011). Embodied health movements: new approaches to social movements in health. Sociology of Health and Illness. Retrieved January 27, 2012. Burton, R., & Nettleton, S. (2011). The Sociology of Health Promotion. (1st ed.). United States: Psychology Press. Karlsen, S., & Nazroo, J. Y. (2002). Agency and structure: the impact of ethnic identity and racism on the health of ethnic minority people. Sociology of Health and Illness. Retrieved January 27, 2012. Mao, L., Kidd, M. R., Rogers, G., Andrews, G., Newman, C. E., Booth, A., . . . Saltman, D. C. (2009). Social factors associated with Major Depressive Disorder in homosexually active, gay men attending general practices in urban Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 33(1), 83-86. Paradies, Y., Harris, R., & Anderson, I. (2008). The Impact of Racism on Indigenous Health in Australia and Aotearoa: Towards a Research Agenda. Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Flinders University. Popay, J., Bennett, S., Thomas, C., Williams, G., Gatrell, A., & Bostock, L. (2011). Beyond ‘beer, fags, egg and chips’? Exploring lay understandings of social inequalities in health. Sociology of Health & Illness. Sociology of Health and Illness. Retrieved January 27, 2012. Reading, C. L., & Wien, F. (2009). Health Inequalities and Social Determinants of Aboriginal Peoples' health. National Collaborating Centre Aboriginal Health, Reeves, S., Lewin, S., Espin, S., & Zwarenstien, M. (2010). Interprofessional Teamwork in health and Social Care. (1st ed.). United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing. Smith, J. (2007) Australia’s Rural and Remote Health. Retrieved Feburary 21, 2012. Thomson, N., MacRae, A., Burns, J., Catto, M., Debuyst, O., Krom, I., Midford, R., Potter, C., Ride, K., Stumprs, S., Urquhart, B., (2010) Summary of Australian Indigenous Health, 2-1-. Williams, G. H. (2011). The determinants of health: structure, context and agency. Sociology of Health and Illness. Retrieved January 27, 2012. Read More