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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

Inequality in South Australia - Key determinants of wellbeing, Volume 1: The Evidence


The purpose of this report, Inequality in South Australia - key determinants of wellbeing, Volume 1: The Evidence, is to deepen our understanding of the impact that social, physical and economic factors have on health and wellbeing, and to describe the distribution of some of these factors across the South Australian population. A number of indicators have been selected to describe different aspects of wellbeing of the population at the present time, and, by using them, to highlight the extent of some of the existing social and economic inequalities. The report contains detailed findings for each of the indicators. It is intended that a companion volume be published at a later date, containing examples of projects and programs that have been successful in addressing social inequality.

Published: 2004; Available free online; Printed copies: contact Karen JamesThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it >, DH SA

Is it working - together? Linking research, policy and practice in relation to children and health inequalities in Australia


Occasional Paper No. 3

Despite an increasing interest in the extent of child health inequalities in Australia and effective strategies to address them, there remains a significant gap between existing research evidence and its incorporation into planning, policy and practice in Australia. Researchers, policy-makers and practitioners face difficulties in bringing research into practice effectively, and local communities are often neglected in the processes.

This paper presents a brief summary of data on child health inequalities in South Australia over the last decade. It then reviews the extent to which research findings have been incorporated into human services' policy and practice. Particular barriers for researchers, policy-makers, planners, practitioners and communities are discussed, drawing on local and overseas experience, and possible strategies for addressing some of the barriers are outlined.

Authored by PHIDU

Published: 2003; Available free online; Printed copies: not available

Journal article: Comparative evaluation of indicators for gender equity and health


Summary

Objectives: This paper reports on a comparative evaluation of indicators that are in use, or proposed for use, by leading international organizations to assess their adequacy for the purpose of monitoring key issues related to gender, equity and health.

Methods: A comprehensive health information framework was developed on a generic framework by the ISO (2001) to use for the analysis of gender equity within mainstream health systems. A sample of 1 095 indicators used by key international organizations were mapped to this framework and assessed for technical quality and gender sensitivity.

Results: The evaluation found deficiencies in the indicators currently in use, from the viewpoint of both technical quality and underlying conceptual bases, as well as in their coverage of the framework, and especially in relation to health system performance.

Conclusions: Routine administrative reporting offered large numbers of indicators but these did not allow for monitoring of gender equity and health. The paper concludes that there is merit in developing a core set of leading indicators that can be used for comparisons across peer countries and communities.

Authors: Vivian Lin, Su Gruszin, Cara Ellickson, John Glover, Kate Silburn, Gai Wilson and Carolyn Poljski

Published: International Journal of Public Health 2007; 52 (Supp 1): S19-S26. Available online

See also: Comparative evaluation of indicators for gender equity and health (2003)

Journal article: Death, disease and diversity in Australia, 1951 to 2000


There has been a substantial decline in mortality in Australia during the 20th century, with a major improvement in life expectancy. There has been a broad health transition, from a pattern of high mortality from infectious diseases to one of lower overall mortality from non-communicable diseases and injury. From 1951, trends in death rates from major causes were evident, with the rise and partial fall of two epidemics (coronary heart disease and stroke, and lung cancer). This overall picture masks significant inequalities in health for Indigenous people and the socioeconomically disadvantaged.

Author: Diana M S Hetzel

Published: Medical Journal of Australia 2001; 174(1): 21-24