Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/20410
Title: Closing the Gap: the need to consider perceptions about drinking water in rural Aboriginal communities in NSW, Australia
Contributor(s): Jaravani, Fidelis G (author); Massey, Peter D  (author); Judd, Jenni (author); Allan, Jason (author); Allan, Natalie (author)
Publication Date: 2016
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.17061/phrp2621616Open Access Link
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/20410
Abstract: A crucial objective of the Australian Government’s Closing the Gap program is to improve Aboriginal health, and to achieve morbidity and mortality rates similar to those for non-Indigenous Australians. Reducing public health risks due to drinking water of unknown quality will help to close the gap. Factors such as hardness, taste, colour and odour of water may influence perceptions of risk and quality. Increased contact and familiarity with a hazard is associated with individuals becoming desensitised and habituated to its presence, so that their risk judgements may reflect their behavioural experiences. Consumption of water of unknown quality, such as rainwater, instead of treated town water in Australian Aboriginal communities may be a community norm, a part of a community’s culture or a result of lack of trust in government water suppliers. Partnerships between service providers and communities can ensure that the service is responsive to community needs, is conducted in a culturally appropriate manner and is beneficial to the community. Governance of drinking water in Aboriginal communities cannot be comprehensive without active engagement of the communities involved, and greater understanding of cultural issues, perceptions and behaviours towards drinking water quality. This Perspective article reviews the literature to shed light on the need to consider New South Wales (NSW) Aboriginal perceptions about drinking water and its acceptability. We urge more dialogue and research, and a policy focus that includes partnerships with discrete NSW Aboriginal communities to develop a deeper understanding of perceptions of drinking water and encourage consumption of safe water.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Public Health Research & Practice, 26(2), p. 1-5
Publisher: Sax Institute
Place of Publication: Australia
ISSN: 2204-2091
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified
111708 Health and Community Services
111701 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 420305 Health and community services
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 920413 Social Structure and Health
920499 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) not elsewhere classified)
920301 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Determinants of Health
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 200207 Social structure and health
200413 Substance abuse
210301 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander determinants of health
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article

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