Australian and New Zealand journal of public health
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Dec 2021
A discourse analysis of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander COVID-19 policy response.
To analyse the implicit discourses within the COVID-19 policy response for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote communities. ⋯ The policy response perpetuates an ongoing paternalistic discourse where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must be controlled for the sake of their health, informed by notions of Indigeneity as deficient. This stands in contrast with the work of community-controlled health organisations, advocacy by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for and against restrictions, and examples of communities protecting themselves. Implications for public health: Unilateral government intervention creates limiting discourses of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In contrast, ongoing COVID-19 responses can build on the strengths of and work done by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, leaders, and communities.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Jun 2021
Comparative StudyOpportunities to prevent fatalities due to injury: a cross-sectional comparison of prehospital and in-hospital fatal injury deaths in New Zealand.
There is interest in opportunities that lie in the prehospital setting to reduce the substantial burden of fatal injury. This study examines the epidemiology of prehospital and in-hospital fatal injury in New Zealand. ⋯ Prehospital deaths account for four out of five fatal injuries in New Zealand. Of the fatally injured population, the probability of prehospital death differed by age, sex, injury mechanism and intent. Implications for public health: This study highlights the importance of strengthening prevention efforts to reduce the substantive burden of prehospital fatalities in New Zealand.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Jun 2021
Considering difference: clinician insights into providing equal and equitable burns care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
To better understand issues driving quality in burn care related to equity of outcomes and equality of provision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. ⋯ Burn team members conflate equitable and equal care, which has implications for the delivery of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Equitable care is needed to address disparities in post-burn outcomes, and this requires clinicians, healthcare services and relevant system structures to work coherently and intentionally to reflect these needs. Implications for public health: Changes in health policy, the embedding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander liaison officers in burn care teams and systems that prioritise critical reflexive practice are fundamental to improving care.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Feb 2021
Comparative StudyUsing Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme data to understand the use of smoking cessation medicines by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers.
To examine the supply of smoking cessation medicines to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers compared to non-Indigenous smokers across Australia. ⋯ Fewer smoking cessation medicines are being prescribed and then dispensed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers than to non-Indigenous smokers. Implications for public health: CTG and RAAHS data may be useful to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve the use of smoking cessation medicines by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers. However, there are limitations and current obstacles to accessing RAAHS data would need to be removed.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Dec 2020
Long-term effects of homelessness on mortality: a 15-year Australian cohort study.
To examine the effect of homelessness on mortality. ⋯ At least one recorded episode of primary, secondary, or tertiary homelessness was associated with premature mortality and younger age at death over a 15-year period. Implications for public health: Accurately identifying individuals experiencing primary, secondary or tertiary homelessness at the emergency department may enable targeted interventions that could potentially reduce their risk of premature mortality.