UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit is run by the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health. It is directed at students who are interested in learning more about Aboriginal health and helps students improve their understanding of the position of Aboriginal people in contemporary Australian society as a basis for working with Aboriginal people during their health career. Taught predominantly by Aboriginal people, the unit addresses historical and cultural issues that underlie current Aboriginal health problems and explores specific health issues affecting Aboriginal people. The unit also explores in more detail interactions between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal service providers in a range of settings and the implications of these experiences on attempts to improve Aboriginal health.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 2 core unit in the Public Health; Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing major sequences
• Level 2 option in the Psychology; Humanities in Health and Medicine major sequences
• Level 2 elective

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate a broad understanding of the aetiology of the discrepancy that exists between the health of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Australia; (2) identify some of the key historical, social and cultural issues that underlie current Aboriginal health issues; (3) discuss selected specific health problems that are major issues for Aboriginal people; (4) discuss Indigenous health in an international context, demonstrating an understanding of the similarities and differences in past and present issues that have impacted on the health of Aboriginal people; (5) describe and understand the importance of ethics and research to inform and contribute to Aboriginal peoples health outcomes; (6) demonstrate an understanding of the position of Aboriginal people in contemporary Australian society as a basis to understanding and working in Aboriginal health; (7) demonstrate an understanding of cultural competency in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; (8) describe how there have been differing interactions between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal service providers in a range of settings and the implications of these experiences in attempting to improve Aboriginal health; (9) discuss common relationships between Aboriginal people and health services and the historical, cultural and social factors contributing to these relationships; (10) describe current approaches to improving Aboriginal health and barriers to more rapid improvement; and (11) describe why Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations have been established and the principles which underpin their continued operation.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) essay; (2) tutorial presentation; and (3) reflective journal. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Christine Clinch

Unit rules

Prerequisites

for the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing major: INDG1150 Aboriginal Encounters: Strangers in our Backyard.
or INDG1160 Boodjar Moort Katitjin: Introduction to Indigenous Heritage and Knowledge.
for the Population Health major: PUBH1101 Health and Illness in Human Populations.
or PUBH1102 Health and Globalisation.
for pre-2012 courses: HIST1100 Aboriginal History.
for the Women's Health minor: IMED1108 Issues in women's health across the lifespan.

Incompatibility

IMED2293 Aboriginal Health, IMED3393 Aboriginal Health

Contact hours

a combination of seminars, tutorials and visits to organisations

Texts

Carson, B. et al. eds Social Determinants of Indigenous Health: Allen & Unwin 2007

Couzos, S. and Murray, R. Aboriginal Primary Health Care: an Evidence-based Approach, 3rd edn: Melbourne OUP 2008

National Aboriginal Health Strategy Working Party: National Aboriginal Health Strategy 1989

Saggers, S. and Gray, D. Aboriginal Health and Society: the Traditional and Contemporary Aboriginal Struggle for Better Health: Allen & Unwin 1991

See the LMS (Learning Management System) and unit CD and guidebook for a more detailed list of references.