Moving Forward Together in Aboriginal Women's Health: - Theses ...

Moving Forward TogetherJanet KellyChapter 3 Primary Health Care forAboriginal WomenIn the previous Chapter Two, I have focused on the context of Aboriginalwomen’s lives and the negative impact that colonising policies and practiceshave had, and continue to have on their health and well being. Theseexperiences directly impact on Aboriginal women’s experiences and decisionswhether to access health care or not. In order to counter these negative effects,improved collaboration is needed. In this chapter, I focus on Aboriginalwomen’s health care provision in community health settings. In particular, Idiscuss the specific philosophies, policies, programs and practices that havedeveloped over the last fourty years, and their varying levels of commitment tocollaboration and engagement with Aboriginal women. I also discuss whetherthey address issues of social determinants of health and similar colonisationimplications.The three main components of Aboriginal women’s primary health care inSouth Australia have been primary health care, Aboriginal health andwomen’s health. Significantly, local, state, federal and international policychanges have led to a diverse, and at times confusing, range of healthprograms, experiences and expectations for both health professionals andAboriginal community women clients. At times grass roots and ground upcollaboration between community members, health professionals, policymakers and managers have been supported, leading to closer workingrelationships. At other times it has not. During the community consultations,Aboriginal women indicated that differing levels of collaboration determinewhether health services are viewed as a passing parade or something thatAboriginal women can trust and engage with. The discussion in this chapterenables the experiences of Aboriginal women and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health professionals in the Collaboration Areas to be consideredwithin a wider health policy, program and practice context.65