Roadmap to recovery: Reporting on a researchtaskforce supporting Indigenous responses toCOVID-19 in Australia
Date
2020
Authors
Moodie, Nikki
Ward, James
Dudgeon, Patricia
Adams, Karen
Altman, Jon
Casey, Dawn
Cripps, Kyllie
Davis, Megan
Derry, Kate
Eades, Sandra
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Council of Social Services
Abstract
In April 2020 a Group of Eight Taskforce was convened,
consisting of over 100 researchers, to provide independent,
research-based recommendations to the Commonwealth
Government on a “Roadmap to Recovery” from COVID19. The report covered issues ranging from pandemic control and relaxation of social distancing measures, to wellbeing and special considerations for vulnerable populations.
Our work focused on the critical needs of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander communities; this paper presents an
overview of our recommendations to the Roadmap report.
In addressing the global challenges posed by pandemics for
citizens around the world, Indigenous people are recognised as highly vulnerable. At the time of writing Australia’s First Nations Peoples have been largely spared
from COVID-19 in comparison to other Indigenous populations globally. Our recommendations emphasise self-determination and equitable needs-based funding to support
Indigenous communities to recover from COVID-19,
addressing persistent overcrowded housing, and a focus on
workforce, especially for regional and remote communities.
These latter two issues have been highlighted as major issues of risk for Indigenous communities in Australia It
remains to be seen how governments across Australia take
up these recommendations to support Indigenous peoples’
health and healing journey through yet another, potentially
catastrophic, health crisis.
Description
Keywords
COVID-19, Indigenous peoples, policy, self-determination, health
Citation
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Source
Australian Journal of Social Issues
Type
Journal article
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DOI
Restricted until
2099-12-31