Matching research methodology with Australian Indigenous culture.

Abstract

Indigenous Australians have poorer self-assessed health than non-Indigenous Australians, have higher rates of hospitalisation and higher prevalence rates for many diseases, experience an earlier onset of disease, and suffer a burden of disease that is two and a half times greater. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people also suffer higher rates of mental illness, are twice as likely to report high to very high levels of psychological distress, and are likely to have higher General Practitioner encounter rates (Pink & Allbon, 2008).
\nNotwithstanding the above and the obvious need for research
\nto help address these appalling statistics, Aboriginal peoples have long argued that research conducted in their communities does not benefit them or lead to improvements in their health (de Crespigny, Emden, Kowanko & Murray, 2004; Eades SJ, Read AW & Bibbulung Gnarneep Team, 1999; Henry et al., 2004; Holmes, Stewart, Garrow, Anderson & Thorpe, 2002; Hunter, 2001).
\nIn this article we look at some of the reasons why research
\nmay not have achieved the improvement in Indigenous
\nAustralian health that was hoped for, and propose some ideas
\nabout how research methodology and Australian Indigenous
\ncultures can be better matched, and therefore be more likely
\nto address their health needs.