Missed Opportunity - Under-funding Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services makes closing the gaps less likely

Abstract

Since 1971 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services have understood health as more than just the physical absence of disease in individuals. For ACCHSs, health involves: “the social, emotional and cultural well‐being of the whole Community”. This holistic approach predates the World Health Organisation’s 2008 report into the Social Determinants of Health, which urges action on “the underlying social, economic, and political causes of poor health.” Many of these underlying causes are linked to social inequality and can be addressed, in part, via empowering marginalised groups and their representative organisations. The WHO’s CSDoH also found that comprehensive primary health care was the best model of care for reducing health inequality. Research has shown that in Australia the ACCHSs’ model is the best example of just this kind of care.