WholeLife Pharmacy and Healthfoods acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which our pharmacies are located and where we provide our service. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. WholeLife Pharmacy and Healthfoods is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
First nation Australians have a unique cultural and historical background that has shaped their health outcomes. Indigenous Australians have experienced significant disparities in health compared to non-indigenous Australians. These disparities are apparent due to historical, social, and economic factors and they have resulted in significant health and wellbeing concerns for First Nation peoples. In this blog we will discuss some of the key health concerns among indigenous Australians as well as how they can address these challenges.
Mental and Substance Use Disorders
Indigenous Australians experience higher rates of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compared to non-indigenous Australians. Historical trauma, loss of culture identity, social and economic marginalization and lack of access to mental health care services are among the key drivers of this issue. Substance use disorders, primarily alcohol and illicit drug use are also high contributors to the health concerns of indigenous Australians. A study conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in 2018 found that 22.6% of the total burden of disease among indigenous Australia was attributed to mental/substance use. This was the largest percentage of all diseases among indigenous Australians (AIHW, 2022).
Road traffic injuries
Road traffic injuries range from motor vehicle crashes, pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents. Road traffic injury rates are quite high among Indigenous Australia’s for several reasons, such as poor road infrastructure, limited access to public transport and increased rates of alcohol and substance use. All these factors collectively contribute to the high rate of road traffic injuries and the associated poor health outcomes from such injuries. The age-standardised fatal injury rate of Indigenous Australians was 2.7 times the rate of non-indigenous and 1.3 times for serious injuries. This alarming stat reinforced the need for serious action to be implemented into indigenous communities (AIHW, 2019).
Cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular disease refers to a range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels including coronary heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, strokes and heart failures. The disease is one of the leading causes of death among indigenous Australians. Many of the cardiovascular diseases share risk factors such as tobacco smoking, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, high blood pressure and diabetes. In 2018-19, 16% of first nation Australian reported living with cardiovascular disease (ages 2 and over) which is staggering and alludes to this issue needing urgent addressing (AIHW, 2019).
Cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases in which abnormal cells proliferate and spread. These cells can form a malignant tumour that can invade and damage the surrounding area and spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. First Nation Australians experience higher incidence and mortality rates from cancers, often due to a combination of biological, lifestyle, socio-economic and cultural factors. From 2010 to 2019, the age-standardised death rate due to cancer increased by 12% for Indigenous Australians, while the rate for non-Indigenous Australians declined by 10%, resulting in a widening of the gap. Among all cancers, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for Indigenous Australians.
Acknowledgement and Raising Awareness
At WholeLife Pharmacy and Healthfoods, we provide accessible healthcare and health advice to all Australians including First Nation peoples. Our pharmacists acknowledge that every person is unique and has a right to choice, especially regarding their health. We aim to provide a welcome space to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to discuss any health-related concern without judgement, and we are committed to a positive future for the Aboriginal community.
Indigenous health and Wellbeing. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/indigenous-health-and-wellbeing
Injury of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People Due to Transport. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/injury-indigenous-aus-transport-2010-11-2014-15/summary#
(2018). Retrieved from https://healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/learn/health-topics/cardiovascular-health/
(N.d.-a). Retrieved from https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures/1-05-cardiovascular-disease#:~:text=Key%20messages-,In%202018–19%2C%2016%25%20of%20Aboriginal%20and%20Torres%20Strait,%2Dremote%20areas%20(15%25).