Question:
Analysis of media material on a current Indigenous health and wellbeing issue.
In the Indigenous individuals, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), in Australia is the most vital reason for avoidable handicap. The children suffering from this disorder exhibit a variety of symptoms including cognitive, physical and abnormalities associated with neurodevelopment, resulting from the exposure of the fetus to alcohol during pregnancy. There is not any occurrence of a national data concerning the prevalence of this disorder; however, research reveals the incidence of high rates among the Indigenous populations of Australia as compared to the non-Indigenous Australians. The media frequently brings to light regarding this issue as a current issue of health.
The media plays a significant role in the transmission of information to the populations or society and also informs the views of the individuals on the illness, health as well as care of health. The life of the individuals is engrossed in the communications associated with the media. The media utilizes pictures, representations and diverse ways of outlining a story to express implicit and explicit implications regarding illness, health, system of health and professionals of healthcare.
This case evaluates four materials of media, and each of them highlights the conditions of health in FASD by utilizing diverse forms of media together with online news articles, a documentary of insight, a poster of Canadian health, a commercial of FASD education and a campaign launch. The major issues are recognized and associated with the models and approaches of perspectives of the Indigenous populations. The relationship with the present discussion is investigated, and my personal reflections are provided.
Key Issues
This article underlines the campaign of FASD, which was launched by the Government of Nunavut in Canada. In this displaying of posters and sending messages in the course of text and dramatic imagery. This article emphasizes that Nunavut is said to have a high rate of children born with the disorder, but statistics are unavailable. This disorder remains an issue in this region with the involvement of the government by sending an obvious message that the women who are pregnant should never consume alcohol. There are several forms of analogous but not as meeting the campaigns in Australia that aims to target the health issues of the indigenous population such as the advertisements of Germs on televisions and a poster concerning the education of diabetes that are displayed on a regular basis The utilization of the posters that targets the health issues of Indigenous individuals has been established with support as well as criticism for a number of individuals evidently recognizing that the poster might evoke the thoughts of disgrace in the pregnant woman. According to this article, a series of new LCBO posters targeting women drinking while pregnant were both celebrated and deemed shameful and offensive, showing several opinions on this behavior and provides a provision on the substructure of the poster which directs the individual to the health care providers for additional information or assists them to stop consuming wine.
As emphasized in the article, an opposing influential visual representation might cause disgrace for the viewing by the woman who are pregnant. This article does not highlight some evidence concerning the Indigenous individuals having participation into the campaign. These two authors furthermore emphasize that until and unless the interventions are intended by the local communities of the indigenous populations as well as ethnically tailored, they would not be implemented in a successful manner (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2014). The issue of literacy of poor health in some of the Indigenous communities has been discussed by the Taylor and Guerin (2014).
All the way through the utilization of positive as well as negative statements to assess critically the discussed issues, this article’s author was capable of representing a balanced assessment. It is significant to make a note of the approach of Canada to this disorder will vary due to the diverse Canadian background of the indigenous populations. There are several forms of analogous but not as meeting the campaigns in Australia that aims to target the health issues of the indigenous population such as the advertisements of Germs on televisions and a poster concerning the education of diabetes that are displayed on a regular basis in the Northern Territory. The authors specify that even though these techniques of education and persuasion possess a definite role but they should not be utilized in separation and outline the advanced strategies of prevention Gray & Wilkes, 2010). The utilization of the posters that targets the health issues of Indigenous individuals has been established with support as well as criticism for a number of individuals evidently recognizing that the poster might evoke the thoughts of disgrace in the pregnant woman. All of these activities have a positive impact on the Indigenous communities as it assists them to know be aware regarding the prevention of diseases and it offers a new perspective to this issue with respect to the techniques of education and persuasion.
Even though the images utilized in the poster of FASD is extremely divergent. I do not consider its proposed significance would meet the target audience. Moreover, I suppose that the wording and images demonstrated by this poster reveal association of influence with the pregnant women belonging to the indigenous communities drinking alcohol left feeling disgraced as well as ineffective.
Key Issues
This is a televised discussion concerning FASD that includes a sequence of events from the foster and association care providers, professionals from the health sector, children affected by this disorder along with the biological mothers. It provides individual’s experiences concerning the mechanism of this disorder in the social as well as the educational level along with the lack of support of the government for the care providers. It furthermore emphasizes the major issues in relation to the number of determinants which result in the consumption of alcohol in the indigenous women during the period of their pregnancies together with the lack of consideration regarding the effects that alcohol possess on the babies that are not born as well as the high occurrence of FASD present in the community of Fitzroy Valley.
Susan, who is the biological mother of Tristan, narrates her individual story, emphasizing the extensive array of issues that led her towards alcohol abuse. According to the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (2011), the abuse of substance can frequently result from anger, grief and pain that can manifest from the colonization process. Germov (2014) highlights the significance of perception of the Indigenous history of depopulation, dispossession and degeneration of the conventional societies while giving consideration to the existing status of health of the individual populations living in Australia (Eckermann et al., 2010).
The care of kinship is emphasized when Marmingee, who is the aunt of Tristan, discusses regarding the challenges she has faced during the period of raising Tristan (nephew), giving the explanation of not wanting a reiteration of the generation that is stolen and also explained the reason for taking guardianship of Tristan. This evidently emphasizes how Marmingee has been exaggerated by this part of the history of the indigenous populations. In reaction to the National Inquiry to bring them home, the government of Australia gave an apology to the families of the indigenous people on behalf of their ancestors for compulsorily removing the children, recognizing the long-standing consequences that it has on the individuals belonging to the indigenous community (Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education, 2011).
All the way through presenting diverse perspectives, this episode of Insight presented with a prospect to provide an inclusive picture of this disorder (FASD) and the outcomes it can exert on the individuals. The presenter demonstrated compassion and sympathy to all the visitors or guests, facilitating them to narrate their stories with the intention that the audiences were capable of developing an extensive consideration of the issues that are faced by the guests. This episode effectively brings this disorder to the attention of the viewers and attracts a huge number of audiences by being broadcasted in the prime time television and also by being viewed online around 1486 times. In the course of providing an absolute representation of FASD, the problems these families are experiencing will face superior consideration from the makers of policy together with other associations (Galvin, 2014). It has contributed to the current discussions on the issue of FASD as it has assisted in a positive way to provide a comprehensive picture of this disorder (FASD) and the outcomes it can exert on the individuals. It provides individual’s experiences concerning the mechanism of this disorder in the social as well as the educational level along with the lack of support of the government for the care providers.
The presenter of insight was capable of upholding an culturally safe environment all the way through this incidence with the intention that the audiences were capable of narrating their stories. The views presented were unbiased to particular persons, but compassionate towards everyone, together with Tristan’s biological mother, Susan. Susan was able to narrate her story frankly. This incident provides the audiences with a prospect to comprehend accurately what the importance of the education which is emphasized by means of individual guests.
Key Issues
This article presents with a record of a report shown on ABC outlining the prevalence of FASD in the Fitzroy Crossing area and highlights the impact that FASD is having on community members. It has highlighted the prevalence of this disease in this area and its impact on the individuals residing in this area. The key focus of this article is to give attention to the initial study on the prevalence of FASD in an entire community area (Herbert, 2013).
This report presents an individual vision of the impact of FASD on Indigenous communities, by talking to the grandparents whose grandchildren are affected by FASD. In Australia, between the years 2012-2013 there were elevated numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care in comparison to the non-Indigenous children with several of these children placed into kinship care (AIWH, 2014). Kiraly, James & Humphrey’s (2014) highlight that several kinship care providers feel that they don’t have access to societal or practical support to assist them in their roles, highlighting the necessity for better resources as well as support systems (Kiraly et al., 2015).
When considering the feedback which is given by the grandmother where she expresses that pediatrician James Fitzpatrick is treated as one of her family, it can be assumed that Dr. Fitzpatrick is able to offer culturally safe care (Galvin, 2014). Cultural safety takes place when people receiving care from health professionals believe that their cultural needs are being met as well as is achieved by reflecting on one’s own cultural identity and how this might impact those of a different identity whom they are caring for (Macionis & Plummer, 2012). The media has assisted in presenting with a vision of the impact of FASD on the Indigenous communities.
Completely through highlighting personal stories of individuals, this media article is effectual in putting actual faces at the back of the issues to raise public awareness. It is also effective in highlighting how children are affected by FASD through showing them interacting in their own surroundings; this is much more efficient in educating spectators than written text. It has contributed in a positive way by focusing on the individual stories of the community members and highlighting the actual faces that are responsible that are responsible for the raising public awareness. Cultural safety takes place when people receiving care from health professionals believe that their cultural needs are being met as well as is achieved by reflecting on one’s own cultural identity and how this might impact those of a different identity whom they are caring for.
I believe that this article could have provided additional statistical information to reinforce their argument considering that the Australian Government is focusing on addressing the issues of FASD issues. The Australian Government (2015b) has identified five areas of priority as well as is developing an action plan to reduce the impact of FASD across Australia. One of these actions targets access to support services, for children affected by FASD along with their families. According to me, it has contributed in a positive way by focusing on the individual stories of the community members and highlighting the actual faces that are responsible that are responsible for the raising public awareness. I believe that utilizing narrative to tell this story is very efficient in gaining support and sympathy from the viewers. The utilization of health professionals to build up arguments is furthermore extremely effectual.
Key issues:
This particular YouTube clip shows Professor Elizabeth Elliot, Pediatrics and Child Health from the University of Sydney and Australian leading expert in FASD, launching a campaign through the organization ‘Pregnant Pause’. Professor Elliot provides background information and understanding with respect to FASD, converses medical attitudes towards the situation as well as outlines the campaign, explaining that it has been designed to alter attitudes. It directs spectators to the ‘Pregnant Pause’ website (Mills & Collins, 2013). According to me, it has provided us a clear illustration concerning the information as well as understanding of FASD. The campaign described in this, has been intended to alter the attitudes of the community members towards FASD.
This clip highlights that some medical practitioners are not addressing the issues of FASD, demonstrating the necessity for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. According to Taylor & Guerin (2014), separate health services have become essential to ensure appropriate care. There is also a need for other Indigenous health services such as to employ Aboriginal health workers and liaison officers who are ready for a primary role of health care (Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy, 2011).
The campaign that spectators are directed to through this clip depicts a message asking people to take an oath not to drink alcohol during the period of pregnancy. Although Professor Elliot describes the FASD issue as being a significant Indigenous health issue, the material used in this campaign depicts white Australian’s; furthermore, Professor Elliot says in her launch that to alter attitudes people will “emulate the behavior.” According to the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization (2014) initiatives that don’t sensitively acknowledge, affirm and reflect the values of Indigenous culture will not be victorious (National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization, 2014).
Pregnant Pause utilizes a leading professional to initiate their campaign, utilizing Professor Elliot’s professional status to give it documentations. This makes the spectator pay attention and absorb the information related to FASD; it also encourages viewers to join in the campaign. Some of the opinions that Professor Elliot provides may hinder the debate regarding FASD, particularly the comments surrounding fathers abstaining from alcohol, as viewers are likely to take a victim-blaming stance and not pay attention to the issue, thinking it doesn’t relate to them (Patel, 2014). It has contributed in a positive way by encouraging the audiences to join the crusade or campaign and spread awareness with the members of the community. There is also a need for other Indigenous health services such as to employ Aboriginal health workers and liaison officers who are ready for a primary role of health care.
Professor Elliot states that “abstention from alcohol is the least that fathers can do.” This is very much shaming and victim blaming and will have no desired effect towards preventing FASD. When watching this clip, indigenous women and their families may feel disempowered and powerless to make the changes needed. People are empowered when they assume control and mastery over their lives within their social and political settings.
Conclusion
The media possess an influential impact while highlighting the health issues of the Indigenous populations and it also educates and put in the picture in front of the viewers. While analyzing this material it becomes evident that wider issues of the Indigenous people are often not taken into consideration, for example, the material is frequently not culturally suitable, comes into view as insensate to the Indigenous populations and does not consider the wider social determinants of Indigenous issues of health. Through this analysis, it is observed that even though FASD is a health condition affecting several Indigenous Australians, there is a necessity to educate the communities further with the intention that the society increases their level of understanding regarding the condition and its associated issues. It has contributed in a positive way by encouraging the audiences to join the crusade or campaign and spread awareness with the members of the community. There is also a need for other Indigenous health services such as to employ Aboriginal health workers and liaison officers who are ready for a primary role of health care. Lack of support for the government as well as financial assistance is also a persistent subject matter. The media comes into view to take risks in relation to discussing the issues of Indigenous health that others dare not, with the result being repulsive along with anger however it requires a much extensive conversation and is also the need of the hour.
References
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. (2015). Health promotion resources.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2014). Child protection and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Brockie, J., Meagher, H., & Taylor, K. (2013, October 13). Drinking when pregnant. SBS.
Eckermann, A., Dowd, T., Chong, E., Nixon, L., & Gray, R. (2010). Binan Goonj: Bridging cultures in Aboriginal health (3rd ed.).
Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education. (2011). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Galvin, N. (2014, November 13). First contact challenges white preconceptions about first Australians.
Germov, J. (2014). Second Opinion (fifth edition). South Melbourne, VIC: Oxford University Press.
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