Indigenous Health

Overview

This unit introduces students to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts and contexts that influence health and wellbeing. Students will gain an understanding of the diversity of determinants as they relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Indigenous global populations. Students will explore policy, data and approaches to work effectively across cultural groups. There will be a focus on the history of Aboriginal Victorian health and wellbeing to understand strength-based/community approaches.

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

1. Discover the social and cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in the context of health and wellbeing
2. Explain Indigenous concepts of health and wellbeing
3. Examine the cultural, political and historical determinants of Indigenous health from the Victorian and global context
4. Critically appraise Indigenous health policies at a National and Global scale
5. Incorporate and critically analyse data specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Assessment

Content

• Models of Indigenous health and wellbeing relevant to different stakeholders
• Impact of the social and cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on health and wellbeing (with a focus on Victorian Indigenous populations)
• Epidemiological data on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing 
• Determinants of Indigenous health and wellbeing 
• Local, state, national and international policies related to Indigenous health
• Strength-based approaches of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs (e.g. community-controlled, self-determinants and empowerment)
• Peer and team-based health promotion interventions focused on Indigenous health, including interprofessional roles and collaboration