Preventing alcohol-related harm in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: The experience of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in Central Australia

Abstract

Alcohol-related harm is a significant health and social issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Primary healthcare can play a part in preventing these harms. The aim of this paper is to describe three domains for action in preventing alcohol-related harm in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: addressing the social and economic determinants of health; supporting population-level action on alcohol availability; and providing culturally safe treatment for individual clients. General practice has a role in treating and preventing illness both on an individual and at a population level. In preventing alcohol-related harm in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, this dual role may include screening and brief interventions; referral pathways and access to multidisciplinary care; cultural safety; support for action on alcohol availability; advocacy on the social and economic determinants of health; reorienting general practice towards population health; and support for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.