Search

This study explored Aboriginal perspectives of child health and wellbeing in an urban area in partnership with Aboriginal people and organisations. In depth interviews were conducted with 25 grandparents, parents, aunties or uncles of Aboriginal children. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. A major conceptual theme was related to social, historical, and political factors seen by participants as influencing urban Aboriginal child health and wellbeing. This theme was called 'Strengths and Challenges: Harder for Koori Kids/Koori Kids Doing Well'. Increased challenges to achieving good health and wellbeing faced by Aboriginal children due to factors in their social, historical and political environment were emphasised. Many of these factors can be related back to historical and contemporary forms of racism. On the other hand, there was also a clear call to recognise and celebrate that many Aboriginal children were doing well in the context of these added challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health and wellbeing is defined internationally as a multi-dimensional and holistic concept, particularly within Indigenous worldviews. However, in Australia there is a lack of detailed frameworks supporting such definitions that are founded on Aboriginal knowledges. Tins study aimed to explore Aboriginal perspectives of child health and wellbeing in an urban setting. Qualitative interviews with 25 care-givers of Aboriginal children living in Melbourne, Australia were conducted. Aboriginal people and community controlled organisations were collaborative partners in all stages of the research. A conceptual fiamework of Aboriginal child health and wellbeing in an urban setting was developed comprising four main themes: Strong Culture; Strong Child; Strong Environment; and Strengths and Challenges. Aboriginal conceptions of culture are considered central to Aboriginal child health and wellbeing in an urban context. A holistic framework that privileges Aboriginal knowledge of child health and wellbeing has not previously been available. Further exploration of socio-ecological models within Aboriginal child health and wellbeing contexts is needed. This study identifies dimensions for further exploration in research, policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to highlight a link between housing and health that may have been underestimated: the pathway from poor health towards marginal housing in caravan parks. Almost all research on links between housing and health is derived from large-scale surveys and correlational analyses which suggest a causation path from poor housing to poor health. The big picture of such studies may in fact disguise a reality for a smaller group where poor health leads to class 'slide' and reduced housing options. Qualitative data and life histories from interviews probe such 'reverse' links and also flesh out contextual backgrounds. It is argued in this article that evidence from interviews with 10 caravan park managers and 50 residents from 16 parks in outer Melbourne and rural Victoria supports general arguments that poor health appears to be a pathway leading to marginal housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]