Abstract
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to experience disproportionately higher rates of mortality and hospitalisation for many infectious diseases. In the past, infectious disease emergency planning and response failed to include Aboriginal people. Aboriginal worldviews and Aboriginal voices must now be valued, and incorporated into health policy and practice.
Highlights
Infectious diseases have had a major impact on Indigenous peoples internationally
While the current Australian pandemic plan highlights the need for equity and two-way communication with Aboriginal people, there are no recommendations on how to achieve this, and, the plan inadequately addresses the needs of Aboriginal communities.[11]
Aboriginal people continue to be the subject of health service delivery and policy without the opportunity to be part of the decision-making about their health.[12]
Summary
Infectious diseases have had a major impact on Indigenous peoples internationally. Aboriginal people continue to be the subject of health service delivery and policy without the opportunity to be part of the decision-making about their health.[12] Given the historical factors and complexities of contemporary Aboriginal health, a one-size-fits-all approach to pandemic influenza is unlikely to work.[13,14,15] Measures to reduce the risk of public health emergencies in Aboriginal communities need to be developed with and led by communities to maximize their acceptance, impact and effect.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Western Pacific surveillance and response journal : WPSAR
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
