Promoting Aboriginal Health The Family Wellbeing Empoerment Approach [Paperback]

Those of us who have worked on the frontline of Aboriginal health for any length of time know that beneath the surface reality of Aboriginal people's poor health outcomes sits a deeper truth. It is about the importance of social and emotional wellbeing, and how this flows from a sense of control over one's own life. Where this is lacking, as it is in so many Aboriginal families and communities, there is instead indifference and despair and a descent into poor lifestyle choices and self-destructive behaviours. Our medical professionals do a great job of prescribing medicines and devising treatment programs but, to fix the root causes of ill-health, we need something more. As Aboriginal people we need to have a sense of agency in our lives, that we are not stray leaves blowing about in the wind. In a word, we need empowerment .

Dr. Pat Anderson, Chairperson, the Lowitja Institute,?Australia's National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research.??

Illuminates a?neglected aspect of Aboriginal health

Provides evidence for the concept of empowerment for Aboriginal Australians through the lens of the Family Wellbeing empowerment program

Shows what can be achieved when communities embrace change

Sounds a clarion call for continued resourcing of empowerment programs