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Abstract: Philosophical perspective is an important factor influencing the health and health care outcomes of Aboriginal Australians. To date, the nature of the Aboriginal perspective and its differences from mainstream European thinking have been poorly understood. The negative impact that this has on the health and health care of Aboriginal people has been seriously neglected. We outline some of the important features of the philosophical perspective of Aboriginal Australians. We suggest ways in which the recognition of these views can inform changes in treatment settings and methods that can contribute to improvements in the health care outcomes of Aboriginal Australians. (Aust NZ J Public Health 1997; 21: 597–601)

Abstract: Philosophical perspective is an important factor influencing the health and health care outcomes of Aboriginal Australians. To date, the nature of the Aboriginal perspective and its differences from mainstream European thinking have been poorly understood. The negative impact that this has on the health and health care of Aboriginal people has been seriously neglected. We outline some of the important features of the philosophical perspective of Aboriginal Australians. We suggest ways in which the recognition of these views can inform changes in treatment settings and methods that can contribute to improvements in the health care outcomes of Aboriginal Australians. (Aust NZ J Public Health 1997; 21: 597-601)

The provision of health services to Indigenous people is not perceived by many Australians to be a moralissue. Indigenous health, however, is not only a moral issue, it is a moral issue that deserves special consideration. In many sectors of society, the correct moral path is unclear, but the circumstances of Indigenous health warrant special consideration which policy makers and health care administrators are uniquely placed to render. The settling of Australia was at the expense of Indigenous flourishing. There is little doubt that many of the current poor health outcomes qf Indigenous Australians result from their past impoverishment. We argue that each member of Australian society has inherited a collective moral responsibility, along with the social assets accrued at the expense of Indigenous Australians, irrespective of their personal complicity. Government, as representatives of the people, has a responsibility to repay some of this society's accrued moral debt through the allocation of resources independent of issues of equity.

The provision of health services to Indigenous people is not perceived by many Australians to be a moralissue. Indigenous health, however, is not only a moral issue, it is a moral issue that deserves special consideration. In many sectors of society, the correct moral path is unclear, but the circumstances of Indigenous health warrant special consideration which policy makers and health care administrators are uniquely placed to render. The settling of Australia was at the expense of Indigenous flourishing. There is little doubt that many of the current poor health outcomes qf Indigenous Australians result from their past impoverishment. We argue that each member of Australian society has inherited a collective moral responsibility, along with the social assets accrued at the expense of Indigenous Australians, irrespective of their personal complicity. Government, as representatives of the people, has a responsibility to repay some of this society's accrued moral debt through the allocation of resources independent of issues of equity.