Victorian local government priority for Aboriginal health and wellbeing: a mixed-methods study
Yudit Aron A * , Kim Rounsefell A * , Jennifer Browne B , Ruth Walker A , Catherine Helson A , Petah Atkinson B , Catherine MacDonald B and Claire Palermo A CA Monash University, Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Vic. 3168, Australia.
B Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, 17–23 Sackville Street, Collingwood, Vic. 3066, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: claire.palermo@monash.edu
Australian Journal of Primary Health 25(5) 457-463 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY18149
Submitted: 10 September 2018 Accepted: 1 March 2019 Published: 29 May 2019
Abstract
The aim of this study is to identify if Victorian local governments prioritise Aboriginal health and wellbeing issues through policy and explore the key factors influencing policy and program development and implementation. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study design utilised a survey to quantify commitment to Aboriginal health policy followed by in-depth interviews that explored how and why policy or programs were in place. Data were analysed separately and then interpreted together. Representatives from 39 of Victoria’s 79 local governments (49%) responded to the survey and 14 were interviewed. Seventy-four per cent had policy and programs addressing Aboriginal health and wellbeing. The key factors influencing policy and program development were: (i) the process of policy and program development and implementation and the role of other policies; (ii) the influence of Aboriginal community characteristics; and (iii) advocacy for Aboriginal health and wellbeing. Underpinning these factors was that local government is ‘working together (in partnership and through collaboration) towards reconciliation’. Victorian local governments that participated in this study appear to prioritise Aboriginal health and wellbeing, especially where collaboration with the Aboriginal community is strong. The effect of policies and their subsequent programs on the health of Aboriginal peoples warrants further exploration.
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