Health literacy and Australian Indigenous peoples: an analysis of the role of language and worldview

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08 August 2011This article delineates specific issues relating to health literacy for Indigenous Australians. Drawing on the extensive experience of the authors' work with Yolnu people (of north-east Arnhem Land) and using one model for health literacy described in the international literature, various components of health literacy are explored, including fundamental literacy, scientific literacy, community literacy and cultural literacy. By matching these components to the characteristics of Yolnu people, the authors argue that language and worldview form an integral part of health education methodology when working with Indigenous people whose first language is not English and who do not have a biomedical worldview in their history. Only through acknowledging and actively engaging with these characteristics of Indigenous people can all aspects of health literacy be addressed and health empowerment be attained.

Publication typeJournal Article
Publisher TypeJournal
CoverageAustralia
Permanent URLhttp://apo.org.au/node/25825
Views2398

Related Topics

Aboriginal languages

Aborigines

Cardiovascular disease

Closing the Gap

Literacy

Numeracy

Indigenous

Education

Health

Social Policy

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