Policy Processes in Aboriginal Health

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject reviews the historical, social, economic and cultural factors influencing structures and practices central to the policy process in Aboriginal health. Students explore the context of the policy process at macro, meso and micro levels in terms of current evidence concerning health status, key health demographics, social determinants of Aboriginal health, models of health and illness, funding approaches and equity questions. They examine federal, state and local jurisdictions in Aboriginal health policy, capacity issues and enablers and barriers to policy implementation. The subject covers governance in Aboriginal health, participation, conceptual models of health and illness, social justice questions and policy approaches such as community control, partnership, shared responsibility, whole-of-government and self-determination. The content is brought into focus through specific analysis of particular Aboriginal health policies and consideration of the practice implications for socially aware, self-reflexive health professionals.

• Critically analyse the origins and evidence base of Aboriginal health policy and associated policy-making and funding structures.
• Critically analyse Aboriginal health policy documents, their explicit and implicit theoretical assumptions and evaluate their program and practice implications.
• Critically reflect on the practice implications of particular scenarios in Aboriginal health policy processes for an ethical public health professional and justify particular solutions.
• Demonstrate the capacity to apply key theoretical concepts to a critical analysis of issues in Aboriginal health policy formation and identify their practical implications.
• Generate and articulate standpoints on Aboriginal health policy founded on sound ethical and theoretical arguments and an understanding of key institutions and systems.

Case study: 15 minute oral presentation with accompanying PowerPoint notes and 500 word briefing paper due mid semester (40%). Essay totalling 3, 500 words due end of semester (60%).

A set of recommended readings will be available for purchase.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.