INTRODUCTION

Optimal health is dependent on the multiple set of factors which includes health behavior,

access to the services, environment, socio-economic dynamics and state policy. The social

determinant of health is distributed randomly throughout the society and reflects the

indicators for health among the community. The social determinants are the conditions in

which an individual grow, live and age. These are measured through the indicators which

reflect income, education, employment, behavior, environment and social support. For the

indigenous population, social determinant factors like cultural identity, family, community

participation and access to the traditional heritage also plays a crucial role in determining the

health outcomes. This essay emphasizes the indigenous population and social determinant

influencing the health outcomes within the community. The essay also discusses the

intersection and influence of these social determinants on each other to meet health

achievements.

Health status in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

The gap between the Non-indigenous Australian population and indigenous people is

unacceptably wide and is a constant challenge for the Australian government. This gap has

been even identified by the world health organization as a human right concern. The huge gap

between the health outcomes distribution in the booth these population base can be seen

through various indicators (Mitrou et al., 2014). For example, there is a difference of ten

years in the expectancy of life among both the population distribution. For all the age groups

below sixty-five years, the age-related rate of death among the indigenous population is twice

in comparison to their non-indigenous counterparts. The inequality faced by the Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander people is associated to discrimination, inaccessibility of multiple

services like primary and secondary health care, lesser opportunity, skewed resources, health

disparity and inadequate health infrastructure (Jones et al., 2019).

Education

Education can influence health through a complex mechanism like income and access to

health as well as participation in the labour market. Despite the improvement in literacy rate

the proportion of indigenous students achieving landmark like reading, writing and numeracy

benchmark in 3,5,7, and 9 Years remain below in correspondence to the proportion of other

non-indigenous students. Education is related to the attainment of certain key skill required

in developing and information, for example, choices, behavior, participation, social network

and cognitive skills. Education in the indigenous population is also known to be strongly

linked to the risk health attitude and preventable services use. The higher level of schooling is

associated with positive health condition among Aboriginal and Islander people. Among

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ageing thirty-five and above having the

proportion of literacy of forty-three per cent the excellent self-assessed health proportion was

25 per cent.

Unemployment

Indigenous individuals which do not have access to the secure and satisfying work are more

bound to have inadequate income affecting their opportunities for better health.

Underemployment or unemployment are hugely associated with the reduced life positivity

and wellbeing. Unemployment has both a direct and indirect effect on health outcomes. The

direct effect causes physical and mental disturbances whereas indirectly it affects the socio-

economic status, poverty, risk factors and accessibility of the services (Cunningham &

Paradies,2012). Despite increasing employment rates in Australia, the unemployment rate for

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have increased from 2001 to 2008 only to 11 per
cent from 7 per cent. The unemployment rate among the indigenous population continues to

remain higher as compared to indigenous Australians.

How Do These Social Determinants Intersect With Each Other?

Education attainment is directly linked to the employment distribution among the population.

More educated individual experience a lower rate of unemployment which is strongly

associated with the health outcomes of the population. These two are interdependent which

may lead to worse health behaviors and higher morbidity and mortality rate (Waterworth et

al, 2015). The social determinant of health impact the health outcomes as well the social

behavior among the indigenous population. For example, smoking which is the most common

preventable cause of death in Australia has several social determinants associated with

smoking among the indigenous population. The indigenous population in Australia with the

high two-income were less prone to smoking than lower-income quintile, this has the

difference of 30 per cent versus 56 per cent in the year 2014-2015. Indigenous individuals

having higher educational attainment are less disposed to smoking found in 2014-2015

(Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016). Adults having completed Year 12 were smoking 28

per cent in comparison to fifty-one per cent indigenous people who were below Year 11.

Hence indigenous people with higher income and socio-economic status were less likely to

smoke which was 18 per cent in 2014-2015 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016).

Lower employment and education level enforce the risk factors in lifestyle. These are

excessive alcohol consumption, overweight, smoking, inadequate physical activity, other

drug abuse. The gap in the health outcomes experienced by uneducated and unemployed are

experienced due to lower access to resources and lesser institutional trust (Schultz et al,

2019). A lower level of education and a higher level of unemployment is a social as well as a
health issue for many countries. Both are responsible for the undesirable state of economic

insecurities and prolonged negative effect and living conditions. Ultimately literacy and

unemployment are independent and responsible for the economic activities of the community.

CONCLUSION

Through this paper, the status of the indigenous population, social determinant affecting its

health and their influence on each other was discussed. It can be reflected that the social

determinant of health among Aboriginal and Torres Islander people indicated a larger health

problem prevalent in the community rather than just their superficial disadvantages. It also

indicates no recognition and no enjoyment of their human rights as well as their distinct

cultural diversity. An approach that addresses the fundamental relationship among the

interdependent social determinants within the indigenous population is required to ensure

better and favorable conditions.

Academic Honesty

All the information received from various sources in cyberspace are quoted and referenced. I

have searched for the sources available based on the information regarding the indigenous

population and their current status of health. I have also searched for paper depicting the

social determinant as the major restriction in achieving healthy indigenous population. I have

taken the university policy and regulation for academic integrity very seriously hence done

thorough research on the topic selected for presenting my paper. I have not copied the paper

or any information from anyone else. And if any information is used it is quoted

appropriately. I have abided with the rules of no cheating, plagiarism, dishonesty, fabrication

and academic misuse or any other similar violation which is against the rule or code of
conduct of the university. I have not taken credit for anyone else work neither I have cheated

which could evoke disciplinary issues.

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