Abstract
Objective:This paper provides a case study of the responses to alcohol of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (The Service), and investigates the implementation of comprehensive primary health care and how it challenges the logic of colonial approaches. Methods:Data were drawn from a larger comprehensive primary health care study. Data on actions on alcohol were collected from: a) six‐monthly service reports of activities; b) 29 interviews with staff and board members; c) six interviews with advocacy partners; and d) community assessment workshops with 13 service users. Results:The Service engaged in rehabilitative, curative, preventive and promotive work targeting alcohol, including advocacy and collaborative action on social determinants of health. It challenged other government approaches by increasing Aboriginal people’s control, providing culturally safe services, addressing racism, and advocating to government and industry. Conclusions:This case study provides an example of implementation of the full continuum of comprehensive primary health care activities. It shows how community control can challenge colonialism and ongoing power imbalances to promote evidence‐based policy and practice that support self‐determination as a positive determinant for health. Implications for public health:Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are a good model for comprehensive primary health care approaches to alcohol control.
Highlights
The Service engaged in rehabilitative, curative, preventive and promotive work targeting alcohol, including advocacy and collaborative action on social determinants of health
Implications for public health: Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are a good model for comprehensive primary health care approaches to alcohol control
There is a large shortfall in alcohol treatment services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,[12] and extensive unmet needs for wider social and emotional wellbeing services.[13]
Summary
Data on actions on alcohol were collected from: a) six-monthly service reports of activities; b) 29 interviews with staff and board members; c) six interviews with advocacy partners; and d) community assessment workshops with 13 service users. Data were drawn from a larger study on comprehensive PHC that partnered with five South Australian services and Congress.[4,21,22,23] The six PHC services were selected to maximise diversity and because they had existing relationships with the research team that would make participation in a five-year research project (2009–2014) feasible. Data on Congress’ response to alcohol-related harm were drawn from a) six-monthly service reports of activities; b) interviews with staff; c) interviews with partners in the People’s Alcohol Action Coalition; and d) community assessment workshops with service users: a) Service reports. From 2009 to 2013, service data were collected from the services in a biannual audit that provided details
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