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Dr Carmen Lawrence speaks about Breaking Down the Barriers Dr Carmen Lawrence is a former Premier of Western Australia and former health minister and Indigenous affairs minister in the Hawke and Keating Governments. She is now a Professorial Fellow at the University of Western Australia where she is working to establish a centre to undertake research and to facilitate discussion on the processes of persuasion and indoctrination and the factors contributing to the development of fanatical ideas and extreme, including violent, behaviour. Dr Lawrence recently gave the closing address at the CRCAH/Flinders University sponsored 2008 Fulbright Symposium - Healthy People, Prosperous Country in which she presented strong evidence that access to necessary health care is often determined by race or ethnicity. Dr Lawrence referred to a US Institute of Medicine (IOM) study which found "minorities are less likely than whites to receive needed services, including clinically necessary procedures".  Quoting from Australian research conducted by CRCAH PhD student Dr Yin Paradies and others, Dr Lawrence argues strongly that similar inequity impacts on the health outcomes of Aboriginal people here. Read Dr Lawrence's Fullbright speech here or a shortened version in Gwalwa-Gai newsletter. (loaded 06.08.2008)

Research Associate vacancy at Flinders University

The Faculty of Health Science, Health Services Management Develop Unit, School of Medicine at  Flinders University are looking for a Research Associate, Research Level A

People of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications Close Monday 29 September 2008. Click Here for more information.
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New Book on Early Childhood Interventions - Maxine McKew to Launch

As the Rudd Government awaits the report from its NT Emergency Response Review Board a comprehensive new book focusing on Aboriginal child development will be launched in Parliament House, Canberra by the Parliamentary Secretary for early childhood education and child care, Ms Maxine McKew. (loaded 27.08.08)

• View Media Alert

• View Book Contexts of Child Development - Culture, Policy and Intervention

 Juvenile Justice in Australia 2006-07 released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

This is the fourth report on youg people under juvenile justice supervision in Australia, and includes information on the characters of young people in community-based supervision and detention in 2006-07 and the type and length of supervision over time and analyses of trends. To view report visit: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10645 (loaded 27.08.08)

Professor Ian Anderson, CRCAH Director Presents at The Clinical Research Excellence 08 conference

View Presentation: Clinical Partnerships Forum: Indigenous Health Plenary
(Loaded 26.08.08)

The Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health (NRUDRH) is seeking to appoint a Level D academic in Aboriginal Health - Closing Date September 5 2008

The successful applicant will provide strong leadership and be an active participant in the NRUDRH Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health education and research programme. Read More [pdf] (loaded 25.08.08)

New Aboriginal graduates to take up health challenge

The capacity of Aboriginal people to lead and conduct their own health research will be enhanced when 12 South Australian Aboriginal students successfully graduate from a ground-breaking pilot course in Adelaide tomorrow.  View Media Release (loaded 21.08.08)

The Australian Network of Academic Public Health Institutions (ANAPHI) is hosting a public health teaching and learning forum in Canberra, September 23 & 24, 2008

ANAPHI are inviting people teaching Indigenous public health to share their approaches, in particular new or creative teaching and learning methods. We are particularly keen to hear about academic/industry partnerships, particularly those involving the community-controlled sector.

At this year's forum will also convene a plenary session with a focus on the Indigenous Public Health Curriculum Framework and how it can work as a guide for postgraduate public health teaching programs to integrate the core Indigenous public health competencies into their teaching program and ways to monitor its implementation. Read More [pdf] (loaded 21.08.08)

CRCAH Bulletin - 18 August 2008

A fortnightly bulletin distributed by the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health through our partners - this edition has information on publications, job vacancies, events,  and other activities.  Download bulletin. (loaded 21.08.08)

Health care for Aboriginal prisoners the key to reducing offending and recidivism

Current rates of imprisonment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples could be slashed by investing in the health and wellbeing of prisoners and their families, according to a new report released today.

• View Media Release
• View Report 

Indigenous AOD Workers invited to have their say

The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) at Flinders University has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to undertake national research on the wellbeing of Indigenous and non-Indigenous health workers (who see a high proportion of Indigenous clients) working in the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) field.  This national study includes AOD specialist and generic health workers across government, non-government and community controlled organisations.

As part of this project, NCETA is currently undertaking an online survey and is inviting interested Indigenous and non-Indigenous health workers (who see a high proportion of Indigenous clients) working in the AOD field to give their views on the level of stress and wellbeing that they experience.

To complete this 20 minute survey, go to http://www.nceta.flinders.edu.au/, and follow the links to the Indigenous AOD Worker Wellbeing Survey, or request a hardcopy.
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Gwalwa-Gai Edition Fifteen

The CRC for Aboriginal Health's Bi-Monthly newsletter is out now click here to view.

 Men formally apologise at Aboriginal Congress Male Health Summit

On July 3, 2008 Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Male Health Summit was held in Alice Springs. Four hundred Aboriginal men from across Australia gathered to discuss the health of themselves, their families and their communities. In an emotional and groundbreaking statement the men formally apologised "for the hurt, pain and suffering caused by Aboriginal males to our wives, to our children, to our mothers, to our grandmothers, to our granddaughters, to our aunties, to our nieces and to our sisters."

Young leaders call for Australian action on causes of ill-health

Twenty-three future public health leaders from across Australia and the United States have called on the Rudd Government to establish an Australian Commission on Social Determinants of Health. View Media Release [pdf] (loaded 31.07.08)

Black Health Challenge Issued - Canberra Times

Last week the Federal Government announced the formation of the National Indigenous Health Equality Council. Chairing the council which will monitor and improve Indigenous health will be Professor Ian Anderson, Research Director of the CRC for Aboriginal Health.

View Article [external link] (loaded 16.07.08)

Indigenous Health Council Announced

Aboriginal health expert Professor Ian Anderson (CRCAH Research Director) is to head a new government panel with the role of monitoring and improving Indigenous life expectancy. Read More
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James Cook University are now taking registration for the Empowerment Research Program in Townsville Registration Closes August 1, 2008 course commences August 11, 2008

The aim of the Empowerment Research Program is to explore the role and contribution that concepts of empowerment and control can make towards better understanding and addressing the social determinants of Indigenous Australian health and wellbeing.

For More information:

• View Flier [pdf]
• View Link [external website]

 

James Cook University are looking for expressions of interest in Certificate II In Family Wellbeing

The Certificate II in Family Wellbeing will enable participants through reference to their personal histories develop the knowledge and skills required to assist themselves, their families and their communities to fi nd positive solutions to the particular problems that they and their communities may face. View Flier [pdf]
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Editorial by Mick Gooda CRCAH CEO

The fourteenth edition of Gwalwa-Gai features an editorial from Mick Gooda, CEO of the CRC for Aboriginal Health. With the current CRCAH coming towards the end of its funding cycle, the organisation is looking forward to the future and has plans underway to establish a permanent Aboriginal controlled successor to the CRCAH. (loaded 06.06.08)

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Holding Men – Kanyirninpa and the health of Aboriginal men Book Launch

A new book which offers insights into the culture, lives and health of Western Desert Aboriginal men was launched in Broome on 27 June. Holding Men – Kanyirninpa and the health of Aboriginal men, by Jesuit priest and medical anthropologist Brian McCoy explores how Aboriginal men of the Kimberly Western Desert understand their lives, their health and their culture.  View Media Releas (loaded 26.06.08)

Creating Futures: Research, Practice & Policy for Indigenous, Rural & Remote and Island Peoples.

When: 22 - 25 September, 2008
Where: Cairns International Hotel
Who: The Centre for Rural and Remote Health Queensland and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

For researchers, policy-makers and practitioners working in the field of population mental health the challenge is no longer to simply identify the social determinants of health status and inequalities, but to identify the preconditions and determinants of positive change. Click here for more information and registration [pdf]