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Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Conceptions of Health and Illness Held by Australian Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Papua New Guinea Health Science Students

Gillian Boulton-Lewis, Hitendra Pillay, Lynn Wilss and David Lewis

Australian Journal of Primary Health 8(2) 9 - 16
Published: 2002

Abstract

Health is considered to be a fundamental human right and developing a better understanding of health is assumed to be a global social goal (Bloom, 1987). Yet many third-world countries and some sub-populations within developed countries do not enjoy a healthy existence. The research reported in this paper examined the conceptions of health and conceptions of illness for a group of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Papua New Guinea university students studying health science courses. Results found three conceptions of health and three conceptions of illness that indicated these students held a mix of traditional/cultural and Western beliefs. These findings may contribute to overcoming the dissonance between traditional and Western beliefs about health and the development of health care courses that are more specific to how these students understand health. This may also serve to improve the educational status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and potentially improve the health status within these communities.

https://doi.org/10.1071/PY02020

© La Trobe University 2002

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