Birthing in Our Community | Census 2021: Why We Count | ABC Australia

Summary

The video script addresses the significant health disparities faced by the First Nations community, where members experience a 10-year shorter lifespan and higher rates of chronic diseases. The 'Birthing in Our Community' program aims to tackle these issues by focusing on prevention and supporting expectant mothers throughout their pregnancies. The program, facilitated by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, offers a safe space for indigenous women, complete with midwives, family support workers, and transport services to ensure access to crucial prenatal care. The initiative has seen a 50% reduction in preterm birth weights, leading to healthier babies and a promising step towards health equity for the community. The script highlights the importance of community-based support and the empowerment of indigenous families in improving health outcomes.

Takeaways

• 😢 The First Nations community faces a significant health gap, with families dying 10 years earlier than others and experiencing high rates of chronic disease.
• 🤰 The 'birthing in our community' program aims to improve maternal health and prevent chronic diseases by helping families carry their babies for as long as possible.
• 🏥 Mainstream healthcare often has long waiting lists for mothers, but the indigenous clinic prioritizes and expedites care for their community.
• 👶 The Bioprogram is crucial for women in the community, especially for those birthing in hospitals, which are not always seen as safe spaces.
• 🌟 The hub serves as a safe space for women to receive care and maintain a familial atmosphere.
• 📊 The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUE) is a regional health organization with a vision of strong, vibrant, and healthy individuals, families, and communities.
• 📈 Census data has been instrumental in understanding the needs of the community and guiding the growth and efforts of IUE.
• 🚗 The hub offers transportation to ensure that mothers can attend crucial appointments for their pregnancies.
• 👩‍⚕️ The hub is equipped with midwives and family support workers to build the capacity of mothers to be the best parents they can be.
• 📉 There has been a 50% reduction in preterm birth weights, indicating that babies are being born stronger and closer to the 40-week mark, reducing the likelihood of chronic diseases later in life.
• 🏡 Working within one's own community feels like being at home, fostering a sense of family helping family and resilience.

Q & A

What is the primary health concern for the First Nations community mentioned in the transcript?

The health gap that exists for the First Nations community is that their families tend to die 10 years earlier than anyone else, and they experience chronic diseases.

What is the 'birthing in our community program' aimed at achieving?

The 'birthing in our community program' aims to focus on prevention and help families carry their babies for as long as possible to ensure the child is strong, healthy, and experiences health equity.

How does the health care system in mainstream settings differ from the indigenous clinic mentioned in the transcript?

The mainstream health care system has long waiting lists for mothers, whereas the indigenous clinic gets things going straight away, providing a more immediate and accessible service.

What is the significance of the bioprogram for women in the community?

The bioprogram is important for women in the community, especially for those birthing within an institutional setting, as hospitals are not always seen as safe spaces, and the program provides a safe space for care.

What is the vision of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUE)?

The vision of the IUE is to have strong, vibrant, and healthy individuals, families, and communities.

How has census data contributed to the growth and journey of IUE?

Census data has been an important part of IUE's growth, providing insight and understanding of the needs of the people and serving as a foundation for the work of the network and member services.

What additional services does the hub offer to support mothers during their pregnancies?

The hub offers services such as transport to ensure that mothers can attend their appointments, which are crucial for the milestones throughout their pregnancies.

How has the birthing community program impacted the social life of one of the individuals mentioned in the transcript?

The birthing community program has helped one individual become more social and come out of their shell, transforming from a 'house mouse' to someone who engages with others.

What significant outcome has been observed as a result of the birthing community program?

One of the significant outcomes is a 50% drop in preterm birth weights, indicating that families are holding their babies longer and birthing babies closer to the 40-week mark, leading to stronger babies and a reduced likelihood of chronic diseases later in life.

What does the transcript suggest about the sense of community and support within the indigenous clinic?

The transcript suggests that there is a strong sense of community and support within the indigenous clinic, with the idea of 'family helping family' and an emphasis on resilience and strength.