Contextual and composition determinants of urban health inequities: An Indigenous perspective

Funded Activity Summary

This research studies the life experiences of Indigenous Australians living in suburban Australia. The project is exploring whether the characteristics of suburbs have an effect on residents' health, regardless of the make up of the resident population. In particular, this research is examining whether this locational impact is any different for Indigenous people compared to non-Indigenous people. It will specifically take into account the impact of social and economic factors on health. More particularly, the research will consider how Indigenous people's patterns of social interaction, trust and reciprocity - elements of social capital - affect their perceived health status. The research will examine the extent to which people are able to use their social networks to gain access to benefits such as assistance in daily life, access to jobs or to people with influence in ways that directly or indirectly contribute to improved health within the Indigenous population. The impact of racism on health will also be considered. The research will be conducted in two high income and three low income suburbs in Adelaide in order to allow comparisons between the suburbs and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents in each. Information will be collected from detailed interviews, a face-to-face survey and observation of the social environment, services and facilities available in the case study suburbs. The final stage of the research will engage policy makers and program planners to determine the implications of the research for their work. The research findings are designed to be used by policy makers and practitioners when they devise interventions aimed at improving health status and outcomes in Indigenous communities.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2005

End Date: 01-01-2007

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $426,317.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Environmental influences | Health inequalities | Healthy public policy | Healthy urban environments | Indigenous health | Locational and social disadvantage | Policy and interventions | Social determinants of health

Related Links