Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/805472
- Title
- Pandemic influenza containment and the cultural and social context of Indigenous communities (letter)
- Author/Creator
-
Massey, P. D.;
Miller, A.;
Durrheim, D. N.;
Speare, R.;
Saggers, S.;
Eastwood, K.
- Institution
- The University of Newcastle. Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health
- Description
- The World Health Organization has directed nations to prepare for a future influenza pandemic. While many countries have developed comprehensive plans, the needs of marginalized communities have often been neglected. In recognition of these weaknesses in current planning practice we strongly support the call that 'the time is now' for genuine and respectful partnerships to redress yet another omission for Indigenous people. Public health experts must work with communities in genuine and respectful partnership to define what pandemic containment measures are culturally appropriate and acceptable. The basis of genuine and respectful partnerships is captured in the human rights approach, which demands that individuals and communities are adequately involved in the decisions that affect their wellbeing . These are essential first steps. History has shown that Indigenous Australians must be involved in decision making processes that impact on their health in order to link genuine and respectful partnerships to aspirations for self-determination of Indigenous communities and organisations. The consequences of inflexibly enforcing a non-Indigenous model of containment will be dire.
- Relation
- Rural and Remote Health Vol. 9, Issue 1
- Relation
- http://www.rrh.org.au/articles/showarticlenew.asp?ArticleID=1179
- Date
- 2009
- Publisher
- Australian Rural Health Education Network
- Keyword(s)
-
World Health Organization;
influenza pandemic;
marginalized communities;
Indigenous Australians;
pandemic containment measures
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/805472
- Identifier
- ISSN:1445-6354
- Full Text

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