Building equitable health and social policy in Australia to improve immigrant health literacy

Abstract

Building equitable health and social policy in Australia to improve immigrant health literacyThe COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that many immigrants in Australia are at an increased risk of infection, illness, stress and other issues associated with the virus, due to major barriers in accessing health and wellbeing information, activities and services. 1 Barriers of South Asian women in Australia. However, to date, South Asian men have not been captured in the data by the NSW, MHCS. Their current priority focuses on partnerships with key stakeholders, such as the Cancer Institute NSW, to undertake information podcasts on cancer screening. Previously, the NSW MHCS has undertaken projects with South Asian women and breast cancer screening, such as "The Pink Sari," project. No similar projects have been rolled out for South Asian men on male-specific cancers. Whilst, these initiatives are of significant impact, a nationally funded health communication service for each state and territory, followed by a systematic approach to map and evaluate specific health literacy strategies for immigrant communities in Australia should become a national priority. 9These should also include an explicit gender lens, with intersections between gender, race, ethnicity and culture interrogated further.Additionally, comprehensive consultation and ongoing community engagement are necessary to capture the health literacy needs of migrant and refugee communities throughout the country.As there has been little research focused on health literacies amongst migrants and refugees in Australia, it is necessary to develop and monitor the effectiveness of health literacy tools and frameworks that are appropriately tailored to people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups, including migrants and refugees in Australia. Drawing on recent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health literacy scholarship, it is apparent that there are many synergies with immigrant groups in relation to the preservation of culture, tradition and intergenerational relationships. 9 For example, one study that explored the nexus between culture, age, gender and health literacy in Australia revealed that "outreach services in community-based settings were highly valued" by the participating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 12 A similar initiative with a particular emphasis on migrants and refugee communities would enhance opportunities to inform contemporary policy and practice approaches aimed at improving their health literacy.Finally, the current period of pandemic recovery is a crucial time to address major barriers and opportunities for improved health and wellbeing of immigrants. With more nuanced research and evaluation of health literacy, supported by a national policy approach, it is possible to not only help reduce the risk of avoidable harms wrought by COVID-19 right now, but also take important steps towards more equitable and inclusive health and social systems for the long term. 13 Such steps are necessary to help sustain ongoing...

Health promotion is central to the establishment of an Australian Centre for Disease Control

“…3 This susceptibility had been noted during past pandemics (eg, Swine Flu), particularly among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, where pre-existing health inequities exacerbated impacts. 5,6 Not surprisingly, this concern came to fruition relatively quickly during COVID-19, with issues promptly raised for, and by, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; [5][6][7][8] people living in rural and remote Australia; 8 people experiencing homelessness; 9,10 people with disabilities; 11 people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds including refugee and migrant communities; 12,13 the elderly, particularly those in aged care settings; 14 and those living with mental health conditions, including those from low socio-economic backgrounds and young people. 15 Understanding that the health promotion profession has worked long and hard to develop the requisite knowledge and expertise to address inequities experienced by individuals and groups within and across these populations is important.…”

“…2 Such activity will help clarify and elevate the role that health promotion practitioners can play within the Australian CDC landscape. Meaningful functions could include advice about effective consumer engagement strategies; 17,18 efforts to build health literacy; 12,22 strategies to promote health and social equity; [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] development and delivery of health education and health information, including mass media and social marketing campaigns; 23 the development and reform of health policies and legislation, as well as social and broader policies to align with a Health-in-All-Policies approach; 24 and the design and implementation of health-promotion-specific monitoring, evaluation and research activities.…”