ASSESSMENT BRIEF
Subject Code and Title PUBH6000: Social, Behavioural and Cultural Factors in Public Health
Assessment Assessment 2 Option 2: Report - Indigenous Health Inequities
Individual/Group Individual
Length 1,500 words
Learning Outcomes This assessment addresses the following learning outcomes:
1. Analyse the impact of social, environmental and behavioural factors on the health of different populations
2. Analyse population health outcomes and the major social, economic, political and cultural forces that contribute to health inequalities
3. Analyse health outcomes in Indigenous populations
4. Apply theoretical frameworks to develop effective health promotion interventions
Submission Due Sunday following the end of Week 11 at 11:55pm AEST/AEDT*
Weighting 45%
Total Marks 100 marks
*Please Note: This time is Sydney time (AEST or AEDT). Please convert to your own time zone (e.g. Adelaide = 11:25pm).
Instructions:
“Closing the Gap is a government strategy that aims to reduce disadvantage among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with respect to life expectancy, child mortality, access to early childhood education, educational achievement, and employment outcomes. It is a formal commitment made by all Australian governments to achieve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality within 25 years.”
(Source: http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/closing-the-gap/key-facts/what-is-closing-the-gap)
To prepare for this assignment, review the Closing the Gap, Prime Minister’s Report 2017 (http://closingthegap.pmc.gov.au/).
In 1500 words, answer the following points:
Part 1 (500 Words)
Provide a brief overview of the Closing the Gap strategy and describe what impact it has had on improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
(Hint: Briefly discuss the history of the strategy and then focus on ‘The Prime Minister’s 2017 Report to
Parliament’ and his assessment of Australia’s progress on the targets. Do not list the targets)
Part 2 (1000 Words)
The report outlines a new way of engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
“The Empowered Communities initiative is a new way for Indigenous communities and governments to work together to set priorities and deliver services at a regional level.”
(Source: https://www.dpmc.gov.au/indigenous-affairs/empowered-communities)
Discuss this statement relating the potential impact of the initiative upon the social determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ health.
(Hint: Provide a national overview of health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, then narrow focus to a brief overview of the Empowered Communities initiative, including the rationale for the initiative. You may wish to discuss the social determinants of health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples by reference to the Redfern Statement or by examining the Local Solutions described in the Closing the Gap 2017 Report. See http://closingthegap.pmc.gov.au/resources)
References:
1. Australian Government, Department of health, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023, The social determinants of health. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/oatsihhealthplantoc~determinants
2. Australian Government, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Indigenous Australians. (2017). Retrieved from: http://www.aihw.gov.au/indigenous-australians/
3. Australian Human Right Commission, Close the Gap – Progress & Priorities Report 2017. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/aboriginal-and-torres-straitislandersocial-justice/publications/close-gap-progress-0
4. Australian Human Right Commission, Social determinants and the health of Indigenous peoples in Australia – a human rights based approach. (2007). Retrieved from https://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/speeches/social-determinants-and-healthindigenouspeoples-australia-human-rights-based
5. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. (2015). What is closing the gap? Retrieved from:
http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/closing-the-gap/key-facts/what-is-closing-the-gap
6. Commonwealth of Australia, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework 2014 Report. (2014). retrieved from https://www.dpmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/indigenous/Health-
PerformanceFramework-2014/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health-performance-framework2014report/social-determinants.html
7. Commonwealth of Australia, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Closing the Gap Prime Minister’s Report 2017. (2017). Retrieved from http://closingthegap.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/ctg-report-2017.pdf or access via the web link: http://closingthegap.pmc.gov.au/
8. Commonwealth of Australia, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Empowered Communities. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.dpmc.gov.au/indigenousaffairs/empoweredcommunities
9. National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, The Redfern Statement, A call for urgent Government Action, 2017. (2017). Retrieved from http://nationalcongress.com.au/about-us/redfern-statement/
10. The Australian, $5.9bn fails to close the indigenous gaps. (21 April 2017). Retrieved from http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/59bn-fails-to-close-theindigenousgaps/news-story/d3e687dcfa6d3f7ffc185457786a545d
Assessment Criteria:
1. Knowledge (20%)
a. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of assessment brief focus
b. Shows evidence of reading beyond the required readings
c. Shows a sophisticated understanding of the key issues
2. Synthesis (20%)
a. Shows ability to synthesise and analyse relevant information and literature to the topic
b. Demonstrates expert use of credible and relevant research sources to support and develop arguments and position statements
3. Conceptual (20%)
a. Shows ability to interpret relevant information and concepts in relation to chosen topic
b. Demonstrates a capacity to explain and apply relevant concepts
4. General Assessment Criteria (20%)
a. Addresses assessment questions
b. Provides a lucid introduction and population definition
c. Justifies any conclusions reached with well-formed arguments and not merely assertions
d. Provides a conclusion or summary
5. Academic writing, presentation and grammar (20%)
a. Complies with academic standards of legibility, referencing and bibliographical details
(including reference list)
b. Writes clearly, with accurate spelling and grammar as well as proper sentence and paragraph construction
c. Appropriately and consistently applied citing and referencing conventions
d. Falls within an acceptable Originality score match (Plagiarism Score)
Marking Rubric
Fail 2 Fail 1 Pass Credit Distinction High Distinction
Unacceptable
0 Poor 1 Functional 2 Proficient 3 Advanced 4 Exceptional 5
Knowledge
Synthesis
Conceptual
General
Academic
Student Notes:
PUBH6000 Assessment 2 Option 2
Page of 5