Improving Indigenous identification in communicable disease reporting systems

A discussion paper prepared by the Improving Indigenous Identification in Communicable Disease Reporting Project Steering Committee for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

From the Foreword by Debra Reid, Chair of the Improving Indigenous Identification in Communicable Disease Reporting Project Steering Committee):

"This discussion paper aims to provide some insight into how Indigenous identification can be improved in communicable disease reporting by putting forward a number of achievable strategies that are short, medium and longer term.

The Improving Indigenous Identification in Communicable Disease Reporting Project Steering Committee believes that this paper will provide effective strategies for all those interested in improving Indigenous communicable disease reporting to assist in reducing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians affected by communicable diseases.

Throughout the development of this paper, the Steering Committee has placed the importance of data principles and protocols when using or reporting on Indigenous information, at the forefront of its deliberations. These underpinning values are embedded in the paper to ensure that the Indigenous culture is respected, in line with the strong recognition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community's ownership of data relating to their community. This involves the protection and constructive use of the information as well as consideration about data quality issues and the accurate identification of clients as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in data collections."

Prepared by the Improving Indigenous Identification in Communicable Disease Reporting Project Steering Committee, with secretariat and research officer support provided by Su Gruszin of PHIDU.

Published: November 2004; Available free online; Printed copies: not available