Unit Overview
- Description
This unit introduces students to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through a contemporary public and population health lens. It develops an understanding of the epidemiological, social, cultural, political, and historical determinants that shape health outcomes for Aboriginal communities in Australia.
Grounded in Aboriginal perspectives and led predominantly by Aboriginal educators and community voices, the unit explores the structural drivers of health inequities, including colonisation and systemic racism as key determinants of health, alongside policy and health system contexts. Students engage with epidemiological patterns, health systems, and community-led responses, while critically comparing Indigenous and Western health paradigms.
A strong focus is placed on strengths-based approaches, cultural safety, and reflexive practice. Students are supported to critically evaluate public health programs and interventions, including consideration of global Indigenous health contexts, and progressively design a culturally appropriate public health intervention or health promotion program that aligns with community priorities and principles of self-determination and health equity.
The unit prioritises the development of culturally safe and respectful practice, moving beyond theoretical knowledge to emphasise behaviour, accountability, and real-world application. Students build the self-awareness, communication skills, and practical capabilities required to engage appropriately with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across rural, remote, and urban contexts.
Through this approach, students learn to navigate interactions respectfully and responsibly, understanding appropriate boundaries and fostering culturally attuned engagement. The unit endeavours to prepare students to contribute to culturally responsive public health practice, supporting equitable access to healthcare and improved future health outcomes free from racism.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode First year of offer Not available in 2026 UWA (Perth) On-campus - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) analyse epidemiological patterns and determinants influencing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes across rural, remote, and urban contexts; (2) apply Aboriginal health and public health frameworks to inform culturally safe and strengths-based public health practice; (3) reflect on positionality, values, and professional practice to support respectful and anti-racist engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; (4) evaluate the impact of health systems, policies, colonisation, and racism on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes and self-determination; (5) critique public health programs and communication approaches addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health inequities within Australian and global Indigenous contexts; and (6) design culturally appropriate, community-led public health interventions that reflect community priorities and promote health equity.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) final project (Intervention/Program); (2) oral presentation (Rapid Fire); and (3) written assessment (Reflective Portfolio). Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Danie Zappa
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Successful completion of
or unit coordinator approval - Incompatibility
- AHEA2201 Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing
Approved quota: 60—students enrolled in the Public Health Major will be admitted first and subsequently first come, first serve basis. - Contact hours
- Lectures: 2 hours per week
Tutorials: 2 hours per week.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.