Waminda is an Aboriginal community controlled health service that is situated in Nowra, NSW (Waminda, 2015). Waminda is a service for all Aboriginal women and their families and aims to support and empower women in the Shoalhaven area (Waminda, 2015). One Waminda program that has had particular success is the Aboriginal women’s health and well-being program known as Dead or Deadly, which is a fitness and well-being program for women focusing on improving/reducing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental disorders and chronic respiratory disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as well as providing employment opportunities.
Background to the issue
Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental disorders and chronic respiratory disease are the leading causes …show more content…
The report highlighted that Aboriginal people in NSW experience a higher prevalence of chronic diseases compared to non-Aboriginal people (NSW Ministry of Health, 2012). The factors contributing to the higher rates of chronic disease in Aboriginal people include lower socioeconomic status and other social determinants, which are barriers to accessing primary health care (NSW Ministry of Health, 2012). Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for Aboriginal Women in NSW and is estimated to contribute to 23% of the excess burden of disease for Aboriginal people compared to non-Aboriginal people (Vos et.al, 2008). In 2010-11 in NSW, the rate of hospitalisations for cardiovascular disease for Aboriginal people was 3142 per 100 000 and 1993 per 100 000 for non-Aboriginal people. To reduce long-term chronic conditions in Indigenous Australians there needs to be specific interventions targeting the main risk factors and Indigenous involvement is key to a successful program or intervention (Clifford et.al,