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Learning and Development Resources
Learning and Development Resources
Aboriginal terminologyCardiovascular HealthCollecting identification informationFamily Health WorkersSexual Health Workers
Aboriginal terminology
The use of accurate and non-offensive language is an essential component of Aboriginal cultural respect and communication training. 'Communicating Positively' is the NSW Health guide to the use of appropriate Aboriginal terminology.
Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular disease is caused by disorders of the heart and blood vessels, and includes coronary heart disease (heart attacks), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), raised blood pressure (hypertension), peripheral artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease and heart failure. The major causes of cardiovascular disease are tobacco use, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet (WHO). Aboriginal people generally suffer a greater burden of ill health from cardiovascular diseases with heart disease, stroke and vascular disease the most common cause of death in Aboriginal people. Some keys facts about the impact of cardiovascular disease on Aboriginal people and are - • Cardiovascular disease in Aboriginal Australians is 30% more common than in non-Aboriginal Australians.
• Coronary heart disease in Aboriginal Australians is twice as common as in non-Aboriginal Australians.
• Deaths from cardiovascular disease in Aboriginal Australians were 3 times as high as in non-Aboriginal Australians between 2002 and 2005.
• Risk factors for cardiovascular disease are more common among Aboriginal Australians than in non-Aboriginal Australians: diabetes is 4 times as common, smoking daily and obesity are twice as common.
Collecting identification information
Accurate and reliable identification information is critical to efforts to improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Although there has been significant progress in the availability and quality of statistical information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over the last decade, wide gaps in information remain due to the under-identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in most health-related information collection systems. The inaccuracy and unreliability of these data seriously affect their use for planning, evaluation and monitoring purposes at local, state and national levels. Despite the incomplete recording of Indigenous status in administrative records and the experimental nature of Indigenous Australian population estimates remain barriers to the production of a true picture of Indigenous health and welfare in Australia, the available evidence suggests that Aboriginal people continue to suffer a greater burden of ill health than the rest of the population.
Family Health Workers
Aboriginal Family Health Workers work to reduce the incidence and prevalence of family violence, sexual assault and child abuse within Aboriginal communities and to strengthen families and communities.
Sexual Health Workers
Sexual Health Workers play a vital role in the Aboriginal healthcare setting. The focus of this work on developing the capacity of Aboriginal Health Services and other service providers to respond effectively to the needs of Aboriginal people and communities in the area of Sexual Health.
Working in Partnership
Engaging Aboriginal people as equal partners in government decision making is a government priority and the cornerstone of Two Ways Together, the NSW Government's 10 year plan to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal people and communities. Enhancing and strengthening partnerships with Aboriginal communities is also a priority in the NSW State Health Plan reflecting the NSW State Plan. The practice resource, 'Working with Aboriginal people and communities' is a guide for all Community Services and relevant non-government organisation (NGO) staff. It was developed by the NSW Department of Community Services (DoCs) now known as Community Services NSW, to improve service delivery to Aboriginal people by providing staff with key facts and information relevant to working with Aboriginal communities in NSW.
This web page is managed and authorised by Web Services Development of the NSW Department of Health. Last updated: 8 October, 2010
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