Solution
Anju Lata answered on
Oct 30 2021
Running Head: Analysis of Contemporary Health Policy for Indigenous Communities
Analysis of Contemporary Health Policy for Indigenous Communities
Assignment
Analysis of Contemporary Health Policy for Indigenous Communities
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Introduction
The Contemporary Health Policies for indigenous populations in Australia are developed to manage the health problems and guide the initiatives to address their emerging and longstanding health priorities (Department of Health, 2018). The healthcare policies for indigenous communities in Australia fund multiple public healthcare programs like immunization, cancer screening, the initiatives like Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Medicare, hospitals, aged care services, services for indigenous populations, health emergencies, primary healthcare and mental health services.
Being a member of OECD, Australia follows international standards for performance and quality measures. It spends the least amount just 9.4% of GDP on healthcare (Couzos, Delaney-Thiele, & Page, 2016). The number of physicians practicing per 1000 people in Australia is 3.39 (Couzos et al., 2016). The number of MRI machines per million people is 13.4 (Couzos et al., 2016). However, the number of people going for MRI exams per 1000 people is just 27.6 (Dixit & Sambavisan, 2018). The healthcare risks in majority of population in Australia is obesity (28.3%) and daily smoking (12.8%).
The formulation of health policies relies on Commonwealth of Australia and the te
itory and state governments are responsible for the implementation of health policies. The policy making process encompasses five stages: Building the Agenda, Policy Formulation and Adoption, Policy Implementation, Evaluation and Termination (Harcourt, 2016).
This study analyzes the policy making process in Australia Healthcare System, explaining the development, advocacy, and implementation of health policies. The structure of the essay includes (1) Identifying the Problem, (2) Examination of Historical Development of Policy Issues, (3) Analysis of Social, Economic and Political Factors, (4) Assessment of Stakeholders and (5) Examination of Policy Implementation and Evaluation.
Identifying the Problem
Poor health status of indigenous people can be dated back to colonization in the era from 1837 to 1937 when there was devastation due to loss of livelihood and land, along with introduced diseases. Indigenous populations went through land dispossessions, incarcerations, political oppression and population decline. Very few efforts were there at that time to protect the indigenous people. These communities were considered inferior to white Australians. As per the Protection policies, protectors were appointed and these people were segregated to reserves and government settlements for preventing the contagious diseases to spread to non indigenous people. Legislation was made to isolate the mixed race people from whites. In some states they were enforced to leave the reserves also. Indigenous language was prohibited and any resistance for this could lead to imprisonment. The acculturation process gave rise to anxiety, sadness, grief and stress which further developed into trauma, substance abuse, high suicide rates, domestic violence and incarceration of indigenous communities.
In 1937, Assimilation Policy was framed to involve the indigenous people with Non indigenous populations (Dalton, Mohe
i & Carter, 2018). They were forced and expected to become like non indigenous people, enjoy the same rights, observe same customs and affected by similar loyalties, hopes and beliefs. There was huge discrimination in polices for the indigenous communities. They were given unequal wages, denied of social welfare benefits and fair employment opportunities. Their wages were withheld and kept in trust funds which were used by the government in other purposes.
Though the Wards Employment Ordinance enacted by Commonwealth Government in 1953 gave the Indigenous communities minor status as wards of the state in Northern Te
itory, they were continuously discriminated in jobs and payment (Dalton et al, 2018). The indigenous communities have been protesting against the discriminatory behavior, poor standard of their health. In 1962, they were provided the right to vote, and in 1966 Australia agreed to the International Convention to prevent all types of Discriminations on basis of race.
Health Policies are formulated to impact the health of people in a positive manner (Leeuw, Clavier & Breton, 2014). These policies make the living conditions safer and effective for the people. The healthcare policies aim to care or cure the diseases while regulating the healthcare professionals, pharmaceuticals, accessing and financing the healthcare system.
Since generations, there was ongoing shortage of a cohesive public policy, inefficiency in delivering adequate resources and neglect. The indigenous populations were suffering from social and economic exclusion. It was necessary to make sure that the benefits reach the ground level. The main causes of poor health were unemployment, poor education, poor sanitation and housing, lack of resources and economic and social exclusion (NACCHO, 2019).
Compared to other Australians, the indigenous people have shorter life expectancy, low birth weight and children mostly die prior to 5 years of age (Dalton et al., 2018).
Examination of Historical Development of Policy Issues
Since 1789, a series of progressive issues and policy developments took place which further refined the development of policies for the indigenous welfare (NACCHO, 2019).
Timeline of Events leading to policy Developments
Yea
Event
1789
In coastal regions of Sydney smallpox spread out in the indigenous populations which further propagated in South Australia and Port Philip Bay
1837
In New South Wales, Protection Policy was enacted
1849
Many indigenous people died in Bass Strait which got abandoned
1869
Establishment of Victorian Board for protecting Aborigines
1880
The protection extended to SA
1883
Protection Board for the Aborigines was established in NSW and reserves were made
1886
Western Australian Protection Act was established for Indigenous Populations
1897
Aboriginals and Protection and Restriction of Sale of Opium Act
1901
Constitution of Australia prevented the Commonwealth government from passing the legislation for the Indigenous Communities. The Africana and Asian indigenous people refused their right to vote.
1905
Western Aboriginal Act set up local protectors and reserves. The main protectors became legal guardians for the indigenous people below age 16 years.
1909
Defense Act prevented the non European people to serve in the Army.
1925
Australian Aborigines Progressive Association was made against the NSW Aborigines Protection Board
1937
State and Commonwealth Conference adopted Assimilation in form of National Policy
1938
Protests and Mourning
1940
Indigenous People served in World War II and the Welfare Board established in place of Protection board. Many Indigenous people left reserves to attain better living conditions and jobs.
1943
Aboriginals were given right to vote
1946
Strike took place by pastoral workers in West Australia
1948
Universal declaration of...