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Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations (GEN 13
While many Australians suffer from poor health outcomes, it is apparent that concentrated inequalities in health exist in some population groups, including people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, older people and those living in lower socio-economic areas. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, CALD and ageing populations, health inequalities are often magnified by socioeconomic disadvantage.
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Identified Need
CALD Populations outcomes of health needs analysis
Key Issue
Ageing Culturally and Linguistically Diverse populations in the Riverland.
Increasing number of humanitarian visa arrivals in the South East and Murray Bridge, primarily from Africa and the Middle East.
Stigma around illnesses in some CALD populations, specifically mental health. Low level of health service utilisation.
High risk of hospital readmission for CALD patients. Effective use of health services in general and medications in particular.
Description of Evidence
∙ Issue of concern in priority matrix ∙ PHIDU analysis of ABS Census 2011: persons born overseas reporting poor proficiency in English, by LGA ∙ CSAPHN analysis of Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Settlement Reports by LGA ∙ Health Performance Council Scoping Study (Principe 2015) ∙ FECCA review of Australian Research on Older people from CALD backgrounds (FECCA 2015)
High rates of non-English speaking migrants in the Riverland, Mallee (specifically Murray Bridge) and South East regions. More recent arrivals clustered in the regional cities plus Naracoorte and Tatiara. Humanitarian visa holders most likely to settle in the South East. ∙ Issue of importance in priority matrix ∙ PHIDU analysis of ABS Census 2011 ∙ Department of Immigration and Citizenship Settlement Reporting ∙ Health Performance Council scoping study (Principe 2015)
Presence of discrete communities with different cultural backgrounds in dispersed locations throughout the region ∙ Lower level of health service utilisation ∙ Populations ageing with lack of culturally specific services ∙ Language barriers ∙ Varying levels of health literacy ∙ Difficult to access interpreters outside of the metro area.
Identified Need
CALD Populations outcome of service needs analysis- continued
Key Issue
New arrivals need support to settle and integrate, particularly humanitarian visa holders. Refugee experiences and cultural norms may result in poorer physical and mental health and form barriers to accessing and engaging with mainstream health services.
CALD needs often not considered in service planning. see above…
Description of Evidence
Priority
CALD Populations (GEN –13) opportunities, priorities and options
Possible Options
1. Engage with culturally and linguistically diverse populations through community leaders and state and
NGO provided CALD activities to ensure prioritisation of and connection to all of the activities of the CSAPHN in community support ‘Potential Options’ as identified in this
Needs Assessment.
2. Provide awareness and support to general practice and service providers to ensure culturally appropriate services. 3. Encourage appropriate use of interpreter services and explore other technological communication support options where feasible.
4. Advocacy provided to the state and other institutional providers to ensure inclusion of CALD population in service prioritisation.
Expected Outcome
∙ Partnerships achieved with community leaders and CALD community services ∙ Connection of partners to mainstream services ∙ CALD need is identified in all CSAPHN activities.
∙ CALD populations have timely access to primary health care services appropriate to specific needs as required ∙ Health literacy of CALD populations is improved ∙ Confidence in navigating health system and ability to access referrals
∙ State and NGO providers have incorporated CALD need into local activities.
Potential Lead
∙ Integral lead activity for
CSAPHN working with SA
Govt. and Cultural Diversity leads.
