1. Improving Health Literacy Today….not Tomorrow”
Its in our Aboriginal peoples hands
Julie Wright – AHP – Colleen Mack – AHPO CAHS PHC Outreach Unit
Health Literacy is Important because there is consistent evidence that indicates associations between individual health literacy, health behaviours and health outcomes. Low levels of health knowledge and health Literacy in Aboriginal population and complex health systems has a significant impact on their health. And can be associated with increased rates of hospitalisation and greater use of emergency care. Poorer ability to medications, poorer ability to read and interpret health messages. And poorer knowledge among Aboriginal consumers about their own disease or condition.

2. Engaging with our Aboriginal Health Workforce
Important Priorities
Engage Healtri
Must Prioritise
Engaging with our Aboriginal Health Workforce
Health Literacy today it is important we must engage our Aboriginal Health Workforce. Engage our Aboriginal Health Workforce on Individual Health Literacy, training them on individual skills and health care, behaviours and activities. Such as reading about what foods are required for healthy eating.
Different types of strategies are needed to support individual health literacy, and depending on the way the person understands and uses the information. Health Literacy to raise awareness of health issues might need to be different for Aboriginal Men and Women. Different communication requirements might be needed for those from strong cultural backgrounds and where English is a second or third language.

3. WHY?
FACTS/realities ?
Aboriginal language speakers average 70% of all health service users in NT.
Aboriginal health professionals less than 1% of health workforce.
High rates of staff turnover
Inability to communicate effectively puts lives and practice at risk.
Health Literacy is important and language skills is important to deliver health information to the individual consumer or consumer groups. Working with our Aboriginal Health Workforce encourages trust working in remote NT communities. Aboriginal Health Workforce can communicate effective health information to guide decisions for the individual and community. Cultural Competence requires cultural self-awareness, knowledge of, and a positive attitude towards cultural practices, differences and cross cultural communication skills.

4. Must work towards Good communication & Strong Working Relationships
Title
sertion
Must work towards Good communication & Strong Working Relationships
Sub Heading
Presenter Name
Departmental Agency
Insert date
Communication is the key to using culturally appropriate health literacy and culturally appropriate resources, are essential to Improve Better Health for the consumer. And Cultural Competence to interact with people across different cultures. Working together with our Aboriginal Health Workforce allows us to be culturally competent for self awareness, knowledge, positive attitude towards, cultural practices and differences and cross cultural communication skills.

5. Someone will help if you keep asking
Who are we?
Aboriginal Community Workers
Aboriginal Health Practitioners
SWSBSC Strong Women Workers
Aboriginal Male Health Community Workers
Aboriginal Health Promotion Officer
Also include key Community Members, and community based lifestyle and stakeholder programs
Aboriginal workforce in clinic, schools, women's centres, council, shop, police, child care, SWSBSC workers etc.
Also Interpreter service
Someone will help if you keep asking

6. Create safe supportive working environments & Cultural Induction
HELP us help our people
Essential to teach provide training to our Aboriginal Health Workforce and community
Create safe supportive working environments & Cultural Induction
Building relationships with the people /consumers and their families
Develop resources and training to use essential tools when working with the people /consumer and their families

7. Create safe supportive working environments Provide cultural Induction
Strengthen relationships with the consumer and their family
Empower our Aboriginal Health Workforce with the skills and Knowledge to interpret Health information to the consumer
Because Language skills is always important to the consumer

8. Definitions
‘Health literacy is about communicating health information clearly and understanding it correctly’ (Osborne, 2014, p1)
the ability to find, understand, and act on health information.
an interaction between patients and the health care system
verbal, print, and seek web-based information
Support Aboriginal Health Workforce, to define health definitions for Action. Health education, health promotion and prevention and health communication. Define Health Action plans identified for implementation. Local Action plan could be develop local resources in their own Language for the prevention of skin infections.
K.A Taylor Health Literacy Presentation NTML Darwin

9. Better Communication pillars
PEOPLE
ACTION
OUTCOME/ RESULT
Multi-disciplinary approach and Education and training is the key to Caring for the consumer
Consumer
Improving Quality Care through our workforce and Language literacy skills
Engaging with Health Service Centres
People need to understand what your saying if Lifestyle Behaviours are to be modified
Poor Physical Activity
Poor Nutrition
Smoking
Alcohol Social Emotional & Well Being
Working together
Provide clinical expertise
Aboriginal people lead and support remote PHC
Support people and communities self manage:
preventable chronic conditions. Diabetes, Heart& Kidney Disease, Mental health Also
Environmental Health living condition issues l
Relationship Building
For the
Consumer
Health teams
Family
Community
Help Support Networks Communication and Referrals
Meetings
Discussions
Workshops
Training
Through the Aboriginal Health Workforce, everyone can coordinate health literacy involvement, and Commitment for Cultural Safety, Improved Patient Outcomes, Primary health Care support and expertise, working together on appropriate plans for consumer focus and involvement.
Better Communication pillars

10. Questions are good however when encouraging questions remember the following:
‘The nurse asks. Do you have any questions? The patient shakes his head, indicating no. While the nurse might assume this response means she did a good job communicating. the patient may out of politeness be shaking their head to end consult as a way of not saying how confused he really is (Osborne, 2014)
Aboriginal workers can help get your message across and assess level of understanding
Always provide easy to understand language and any health information and high level of education materials that are appropriate for consumers with low health literacy.

11. Any Questions?

12. References
Osborne, H 2014 Health Literacy A to Z
Taylor, K 2010 intercultural health care communications