The definition of health and the contributions to health often vary with culture. Internationally, women of Indigenous heritage tend to experience poorer health outcomes than the dominant culture of their communities. This is equally true of the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in communities. Additionally, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population view health and health contributions within a holistic framework that should be considered.
In this presentation, we will consider the health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children, as well as other international Indigenous populations from longitudinal cohort studies. In particular we will be using the holistic framework as we consider outcomes and opportunities for future health interventions, and policy change. Ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and communities have opportunities, and can self-determine and lead future research programs is an important consideration, and how this vision can be achieved will be discussed.