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

ABC Australia

28 Jul 202103:53

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

00:00

🏥 Addressing Health Disparities in First Nations Community

The script discusses the significant health gap faced by the First Nations community, where families experience a life expectancy 10 years shorter than others. The speaker emphasizes the importance of prevention and the 'birthing in our community program' aimed at improving health outcomes for mothers and babies. The program seeks to extend the duration of pregnancy to ensure healthier babies, thereby reducing the likelihood of chronic diseases later in life. The script also highlights the challenges faced by indigenous women in accessing healthcare, with the indigenous clinic providing a more immediate and supportive service. The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUE) is mentioned as a regional health organization with a vision of strong, vibrant, and healthy individuals, families, and communities. The importance of census data in understanding and addressing the needs of the community is underscored, with data serving as a foundation for the work of the network and its member services.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Health Gap

The term 'health gap' refers to the disparity in health outcomes between different population groups. In the context of the video, it highlights the significant difference in life expectancy and health conditions faced by the First Nations community compared to the general population. The script mentions that families in this community die 10 years earlier than others, which underscores the urgent need for health interventions and improvements.

💡Chronic Disease

Chronic disease refers to a health condition that persists for a long period and is generally slow to progress. In the video, it is mentioned that the First Nations community experiences chronic diseases, which is a major contributor to the health gap. The script emphasizes the importance of prevention and early intervention to reduce the prevalence of such diseases within the community.

💡Prevention

Prevention in the video is about taking proactive measures to avoid the onset of diseases or health issues. It is a key strategy highlighted in the script for improving the health outcomes of the First Nations community. The 'birthing in our community program' is an example of a preventive initiative aimed at extending the gestation period for babies, thereby contributing to their long-term health.

💡Birthing Program

The 'birthing program' mentioned in the script is a specific initiative designed to support women during pregnancy and childbirth within the First Nations community. It is crucial for promoting health equity and ensuring that children are born healthy and strong. The program's goal aligns with the broader theme of improving health outcomes and reducing disparities.

💡Health Equity

Health equity is the concept of ensuring that all people have the opportunity to achieve their full health potential and are not disadvantaged by social determinants. The video emphasizes the importance of health equity as a human right, highlighting the need for the First Nations community to have the same access to health resources and opportunities as any other person.

💡Indigenous Clinic

An 'indigenous clinic' is a healthcare facility that specifically caters to the needs of indigenous communities. In the video, it is portrayed as a place that offers immediate and culturally sensitive care, contrasting with mainstream services that may have long waiting lists. The clinic plays a vital role in the community's health improvement efforts.

💡Safe Space

A 'safe space' in the context of the video refers to an environment where individuals feel secure, respected, and free from judgment. The script mentions that hospitals are not always perceived as safe spaces for indigenous women, hence the importance of the indigenous clinic as a safe space for women to receive care during pregnancy.

💡Institutional Setting

An 'institutional setting' generally refers to a formal environment, such as a hospital or a clinic, where services are provided. The video discusses the challenges indigenous women may face when birthing in such settings due to cultural and other barriers. The indigenous clinic aims to provide a more supportive and familiar environment for these women.

💡Urban Indigenous Health

Urban Indigenous Health refers to the specific health issues and needs of indigenous populations living in urban areas. The 'Institute for Urban Indigenous Health' mentioned in the script is an organization focused on addressing these health concerns and promoting the well-being of urban indigenous individuals, families, and communities.

💡Census Data

Census data is statistical information collected from a census, which is a periodic survey of a country's population. In the video, census data is highlighted as a crucial tool for understanding the demographic and health needs of the First Nations community. It provides insights that guide the development of health programs and policies.

💡Transport

In the context of the video, 'transport' refers to the provision of transportation services to ensure that pregnant women can attend their medical appointments. This is particularly important for those who lack access to transportation, as it enables them to receive necessary prenatal care and support.

💡Preterm Birth Weights

Preterm birth weights refer to the weight of babies born before the full term of pregnancy (before 37 weeks). The script reports a 50% drop in preterm birth weights, indicating an improvement in the health of newborns within the community. This reduction in preterm births is a positive outcome of the birthing program, as it suggests that babies are being born stronger and at a more optimal gestational age.

💡Resilience

Resilience in the video is portrayed as the inner strength and adaptability of the First Nations community in the face of health challenges. It is about recognizing and building upon the community's inherent strengths to overcome obstacles and improve health outcomes. The script emphasizes the importance of working with the community's resilience as a foundation for health initiatives.

Highlights

Health gap in First Nations community: Families die 10 years earlier than others.

Birthing in Our Community program aims to focus on prevention and improve health equity.

Mainstream healthcare has long waiting lists, while indigenous clinics prioritize care.

Bioprogram is vital for indigenous women, providing a safe space for birthing.

Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) is a regional health organization.

IUIH's vision is for strong, vibrant, healthy individuals, families, and communities.

Census data has been crucial in understanding the needs of the indigenous population.

Data is a foundational pillar for the work of IUIH and its member services.

Hub offers support to build mothers' capacity to be the best parents they can be.

Transport services are provided to ensure mothers can attend important appointments.

Appointments are crucial for monitoring milestones throughout pregnancies.

Birthing Community Program has helped individuals become more social and confident.

There has been a 50% drop in preterm birth weights, indicating healthier babies.

Healthier babies are less likely to experience chronic disease later in life.

Working with one's own community feels like being at home, with family helping family.

Emphasis on resilience within the community and leveraging that strength.