Among the latest coronavirus advice from the prime minister was an age-based self-isolation strategy designed to protect those considered most vulnerable in the global health crisis.

The directive was for Indigenous peoples over the age of 50 with existing health conditions to stay home as much as possible, while for non-Indigenous Australians with health conditions, the age cut-off was 60, and those without health conditions, it was 70.

Australian public health, for the most part, remains bound to a utilitarian logic of “greatest good for the greatest number”. This ironically renders minority populations, such as Indigenous peoples, most vulnerable.

Through this logic, strategies for reducing the threats that minority groups face are often overlooked. They are deemed less important or too resource-intensive.

It is in this environment that Indigenous health experts are forced to work. Much of their labour is spent appealing for a more equitable public health response, instead of focusing squarely on responding to the health crisis in our communities.

Read the full article on The Conversation.