In HSC PDHPE ATSI health is one of the key topics that you need to understand. The problem is that there is so much to take in related to ATSI health. In Australia, ATSI people experience a massive disadvantage as a marginalised people group. ATSI people have poorer outcomes not just in health, but in education, drug use, domestic violence, social isolation and much more. It is important to understand what has lead to this disadvantage amongst ATSI people.
ATSI History
There is not surprise here that when “white” people came to Australia, they came with guns, disease and a lack of understanding. The ATSI people were killed, murdered, raped and much more. ATSI land was taken and a “white” Australia began to grow.
The Australian Government, along with mission agencies then went about the “extinction” of ATSI people, between 1905 and the mid 1970s. Children were stolen from their families, forced to learn “white” culture. These ATSI children were brutally and forcibly removed from their families. The ATSI children were taken to institutions where they were abused: physically, sexually and emotionally. The Australian Government sought to remove the “black” and breed out the ATSI people. The Government wanted to remove “full-blood” ATSI people so that they no longer existed.
Come 2007 and Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, finally apologised to the “stolen generations”. But this is just the beginning of a long road of restitution (becoming friends again). The stigma and social isolation of ATSI people has continued since.
Closing the Gap – ATSI Health & Education
Closing the Gap for relates to ATSI health, but also their education, housing, safety and leadership. The goals of “Closing the Gap” include:
- close the gap in ATSI life expectancy within a generation (by 2031);
- halve the gap in mortality rates for ATSI children under five by 2018;
- ensure access to early childhood education for all ATSI four year olds in remote communities by 2013;
- halve the gap in reading, writing and numeracy achievements for ATSI children by 2018;
- halve the gap for ATSI students in Year 12 (or equivalent) attainment rates by 2020; and
- halve the gap in employment outcomes between ATSI and other Australians by 2018.
The latest Closing the Gap – Prime Ministers Report (2015) indicates that only two of these goals are on track (mortality rates for ATSI children & year 12 attainment). This indicates that ATSI health is not where it needs to be and the recent video from Newcastle University about the first ATSI surgeon in Australia, working in regional areas doing research, though a great individual achievement, reveals that the road back is still a long one.
Closing the Gap Prime Minister’s Report (2015)
ATSI health is still a huge issue and relates to their poorer education, and housing outcomes, but mostly is caused by a bad history with western culture and continual social isolation.
If you have the time listen to this TedX talk given in Perth. It may help you to understand why “Closing the Gap” is still behind its optimistic targets.
For further reading on health promotion that follows the syllabus click here. Or for ATSI health status click here.
