Month: October 2006

Overweight and obesity – a major problem for Indigenous Australians

Issue: Vol 6 No 4, October 2006 - December 2006

Jane Burns and Neil Thomson

Abstract

The worldwide ‘epidemic’ of obesity includes Australia, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Levels of overweight and obesity are similar for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, but, importantly, the proportion of obese Indigenous people is considerably higher than that of obese non-Indigenous people. The difference in levels of obesity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people is greater for females than for males.

The level of overweight and obesity is slightly higher overall for Torres Strait Islanders than for Aboriginal people, but the level is much higher for Torres Strait Islanders living in the Torres Strait area.

Overweight and obesity are generally caused by energy imbalance over a sustained period of time. Lifestyle factors, such as unhealthy nutrition and lack of physical activity, are the major contributors to the development of overweight and obesity, but a genetic predisposition is also believed to contribute. The social and other disadvantages experienced by many Indigenous people contribute to their levels of overweight and obesity through lifestyle factors. This is particularly so for Indigenous people living in rural remote areas, many of whom have limited access to nutritious food at reasonable prices.

Healthy environments and steps to address the social inequities in health are necessary for prevention strategies. Improving access to nutritious food is a vital step, particularly for Indigenous people in rural and remote areas. Comprehensive strategies, including those for young people, are essential to prevent overweight and obesity leading to further ill-health among Indigenous peoples. Initiatives need to be positioned within broad strategies addressing the continuing social and economic disadvantages that many Indigenous people experience.

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Deadly Award for outstanding achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: Mick Adams

Issue: Vol 6 No 4, October 2006 - December 2006

The following information has been adapted from the Deadlys website

Mick Adams has won a major award at the 12th annual Deadlys, announced 21 September, 2006 at the Sydney Opera House. The Deadly Awards have become an important event on the Indigenous music and lifestyle calendar, celebrating the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in music and the arts, sport, education and health.

Mick has been involved in improving the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for over 30 years, working in a variety of roles for community controlled and state based services. During the past 13 years, Mick’s focus has been on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males. He has worked towards ensuring that men’s health issues are promoted and placed on national and international agendas through advocacy, research, publications and health management. He has also spoken out about family violence and child abuse issues. Mick is currently undertaking a PhD in Public Health examining the prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males.

Indigenous Governance Awards winner – WuChopperen Health Service, Queensland

Issue: Vol 6 No 4, October 2006 - December 2006

The following information has been adapted from the Reconciliation Australia website

The WuChopperen Health Service has won a major award at the 2006 Indigenous Governance Awards, announced 31 August 2006 in Melbourne. These awards recognise and reward excellence in governance in Indigenous organisations. The awards drew a field of 47 applicants and there were eight finalists across a range of categories. WuChopperen won the category for organisations established for more than 10 years. The chair of the awards committee, Professor Mick Dodson, said that the common theme shown by all eight finalists was the ‘vision, commitment and capacity to deliver’ and that ‘all these factors are directly connected to leadership’.

WuChopperen Health Service was formed in Cairns in 1979 as an essential health care service provider, its services include specialist clinics and chronic disease management, oral health, and social health and wellbeing. It also oversees the establishment of medical services and clinics in remote regions.

In selecting WuChopperen as the winner, the panel of judges (including both Indigenous and non-Indigenous representatives) identified the following areas as reflecting excellence in governance within the organisation:

  • Continuous improvement ethos and effective processes to identify and implement change.
  • Innovative and creative approaches by staff are supported and encouraged.
  • Good processes for communicating views and decisions.
  • Stakeholders endorsed the quality of the organisation and its role as a leader and model in a range of areas.
  • WuChopperen has a focus on generational change and effective actions to achieve it.