Cultural barriers lead to inequitable healthcare access for aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders

Aims

This article seeks to address some of the factors, particularly cultural barriers, contributing to inequity in healthcare service provisions for indigenous Australians. Furthermore, this article presents ways for healthcare professionals to take action on culture-related health equity issues. Finally, this article addresses what nurses can do to support more operational interventions and enhance the quality of services for indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.

Background

Recently, scholarly literature in Australia has focused on the issue of ensuring equitable access to healthcare for aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, who are regarded as economically, socially, politically and culturally disadvantaged (Larkins et al, 2016; Lowell, 2013).1, 2 However, in spite of significant efforts on the part of the Australian government, scholars, policy makers and communities to provide fair and equitable healthcare, this challenging and longstanding issue remains unresolved and needs to be addressed immediately (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2015; Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2011).3, 4

Data sources

Using the Population, Intervention and Outcome framework, several databases (PUBMED, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS) and government web-based literature resources were searched to identify original research articles published from 2000 to 2016.

Discussion

Health inequity exists among aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, and the cultural barriers are vital factors in addressing aboriginals' health inequity. Healthcare professionals could be part of an effective solution for diminishing racial/ethnic disparities in healthcare. Different types of nurses could play different roles in addressing aboriginal cultural barriers among aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.

Nurses are uniquely positioned to initiate and sustain contact with aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders in healthcare workplaces, as they can intervene at the points of greatest need in the community to address socially significant healthcare and social issues.

Conclusions

The different roles of nurses in providing health and social care interventions to aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders could be utilized to increase equity in access to healthcare and help aboriginals attain better levels of health.