Abstract
Aims: To elucidate key considerations for effective health promotion with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males in remote Northern Territory.
Context: Despite the significant disparities in health outcomes amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males, particularly in remote Northern Territory, investment in health promotion policy and practice has been inadequate. Progressing towards self-determination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males, and to meet the unique health and well-being needs of this marginalised demographic, consideration for staff retention and training, strengths-based approaches, and implications of divergent masculinities must be considered when devising and delivering culturally responsive and appropriate health promotion interventions. Health promotion needs to be conducted in a collaborative manner, and in less conventional settings, to better engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males.
Approach: This commentary draws on the author's reflections about working in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health policy, practice and research contexts in Northern Australia. It brings together diffuse strands of scholarship about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health promotion; and health promotion in rural and remote contexts. In doing so, we identify and discuss strategies that have potential to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health promotion in rural and remote Australia.
Conclusion: Health services and professionals in remote Northern Territory must leverage the inherent strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males to imbue service delivery with both meaning and capacity for self-determination. In doing so, this might ultimately help to alleviate the marginalisation of this demographic.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 540-543 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Australian Journal of Rural Health |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 2022 |
| DOIs |
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| Publication status | Published - Aug 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The first author would like to thank Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation for giving him the opportunity to work with Yolŋu in East Arnhem Land Northern Territory, as a physiotherapist and health promotion officer. This enabled him to gain greater insight into the uniquely stimulating and challenging aspects of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males in remote Northern Territory. This publication was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council Emerging Leadership 1 Investigator grant to KC (grant number APP1175214). The authors are also supported in undertaking health research by Masonic Charities Trust through the Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing. Open access publishing facilitated by Charles Darwin University, as part of the Wiley - Charles Darwin University agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians. [Correction added on 07 July 2022, after first online publication: CAUL funding statement has been added.]
Funding Information:
This publication was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council Emerging Leadership 1 Investigator grant to KC (grant number APP1175214). The authors are also supported in undertaking health research by Masonic Charities Trust through the Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors. Australian Journal of Rural Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.
