Roadmap to recovery: Reporting on a research taskforce supporting Indigenous responses to COVID‐19 in Australia

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 COVID‐19. The report covered issues ranging from pandemic control and relaxation of social distancing measures, to well‐being 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.

Mental health and well‐being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia during COVID‐19

“…For example, in response to the pandemic, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander COVID‐19 Advisory Group was swiftly formed to work alongside Government. This Advisory Group was co‐chaired by NACCHO and the Commonwealth Department of Health, and represented by state, territory, and regional peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations (Moodie et al, 2020 ). The Advisory Group was decisive and effective in their COVID‐19 public health responses, which have been recognised across the globe (Eades et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The laudable efforts of ACCHOs and ACCHSs, in partnership with Government, in providing culturally appropriate, evidence‐based prevention messages and strategies to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from COVID‐19, have resulted in low numbers of infection among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, as compared to non‐Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Indigenous peoples worldwide (Finlay & Wenitong, 2020 ; Moodie et al, 2020 ). It is evident then that when self‐determination is facilitated and encouraged, health and well‐being outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and peoples are improved.…”

“…In February 2020, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), peak organisations, and member services had already led specific, efficient, and effective initiatives to prepare and protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities during the pandemic. To support these efforts, four key public health recommendations were made (Group of Eight Australia, 2020 ; Moodie et al, 2020 ). The chapter emphasised that the public health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples requires policy development processes that are grounded in the human right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to self‐determination.…”

Australian First Nations response to the pandemic: A dramatic reversal of the ‘gap’

“…An outstanding group of First Nations researchers prepared a report outlining a roadmap to coming out of COVID‐19, which is also a blueprint for First Nations improvements more generally 13 …”

Using the Food Stress Index for Emergency Food Assistance: An Australian Case Series Analysis during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Natural Disasters

“…The unique context of COVID-19 amplified the risk of food insecurity for those already at risk and created new demographics of food stress [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. The economic impacts of COVID-19 and social isolation measures resulted in novel cohorts of people that suddenly found themselves at risk of food stress and food insecurity [ 13 ]. Simultaneously, the introduction of additional social protection payments, including supporting workers with JobKeeper (The JobKeeper Payment scheme was a subsidy for businesses significantly affected by COVID-19) and JobSeeker (The JobSeeker Payment replaced unemployment payments for Australians between 22 years and the Age Pension age and looking for work when they stopped in March 2020) allowances, and free childcare, youth allowance and parenting payments, meant that many of the cohorts usually living in poverty were protected [ 14 , 15 ].…”