Foreword
We are very pleased to release the fourth edition of the National guide to preventive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (National Guide). It is almost 20 years since the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) instigated the first edition in 2005 and has collaborated with The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) across all editions.
The aim of the first edition was to support Australian primary care services to overcome their uncertainty about screening and other health interventions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The first edition was innovative in not merely referring to biomedical interventions, but also directing clinicians to consider the social determinants of health. This approach reflected the Aboriginal definition of health which encompasses ‘not just the physical wellbeing of an individual but refers to the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of the whole Community in which each individual is able to achieve their full potential as a human being, thereby bringing about the total wellbeing of their community.’
The recommendations in this edition continue to reflect the Aboriginal definition of health and for the first time tackle the issue of racism in healthcare, providing primary care teams with actionable strategies to combat its detrimental effects on health and wellbeing. Other measures to support greater cultural safety of the recommendations in this edition include a marked increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and reviewers, ensuring guidance is rooted in the experience of the community it serves.
In recognition of the holistic and team-based nature of primary care, this edition is designed to be a resource for the entire care team, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, health practitioners and nurses.
The National Guide is the work of many. Each chapter has been externally reviewed by experts and relevant peak bodies. We are thankful for the expertise provided by all authors and reviewers who have helped make this edition, in addition to the direction provided by the Project Reference Group. This edition is a testament to the collective wisdom of our communities, healthcare professionals, and academic experts, whose collaborative spirit has been instrumental in shaping its content.
We invite all members of this primary care community to work together to implement the recommendations within this guide as we work towards a future where health equity is a reality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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Ms Donnella Mills
Chair
NACCHO
March 2024
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Dr Nicole Higgins
President
RACGP
March 2024 |