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Health

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Health Education in Action

The key to our health education is improving health literacy.

Health literacy is "the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions
ABS, 2008, ‘Health Literacy, Australia'

At ARDS, we build health literacy using world view concepts and the language of the Yolŋu people.

This involves health education in biomedical concepts which are common to a range of illnesses impacting on Indigenous people.

 

There are four main types of health education work ARDS undertakes. All four types are based on the same fundamental Education Model.

1. Face-to-face education (in Yolŋu Matha and English)
2. Audio education and radio programs (in Yolŋu Matha)
3. DVD educational resources (in Yolŋu Matha)
4. Resources for English speaking educators (in English)

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1. FACE-TO-FACE

Microscope literacy and germ theory of disease education
ARDS uses microscopes in community settings to explain the concepts of germ theory. This knowledge is essential to giving people an understanding of the germs and microscopic organisms which cause many forms of disease.

Chronic Disease Education
ARDS health education uses key foundational knowledge concepts to help Yolŋu understand chronic illness. Some of these fundamental concepts are:

• Blood continually circulates around our body

• Food is classified into chemical groups called proteins, carbohydrates, fats and so on

• Food we eat is broken up into tiny pieces and moves from our intestine into our blood, which then carries it around our body

By building knowledge of diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases based on these concepts, the people are able to gain a deeper and more holistic understanding of cause and effect relating to chronic diseases.

Click here for more on infectious diseases and germ theory education or  chronic disease education such as diabetes.

2. YOLŊU RADIO

ARDS has an extensive database of audio education programs that are broadcast on Yolŋu Radio covering foundational health concepts, specific diseases that are signficant in Yolŋu populations, as well as “responsive health messages” on current health topics, such as Swine Flu.

Listen to Yolŋu Radio live

Listen to audio education programs from our database.

Some of these audio education programs are available on CD – such as TB and Rheumatic Heart Disease. To purchase a copy go to the ARDS Store.

3. DVDs

ARDS has developed a number of educational DVDs in Yolŋu Matha which tell in-depth stories on health. The DVDs all contain English subtitles. Topics include: Antibiotics, Scabies, Early Childhood Development, Iron, Peritoneal Dialysis and Strongyloides. For more information or to purchase your own copies go to the ARDS Store.

4. RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS

ARDS has developed resources to help educators and health staff in working successfully with Indigenous patients. These are in English and provide step-by-step guides. They also include the rationale behind health literacy focussed education.

Resources include:

• Foundations in Health Literacy DVD focussing on microscope literacy and germ theory of disease
 
• Rheumatic Heart Disease Story Telling Guide (2nd edition) – a guide for educating on “the full story” of Rheumatic Heart Disease. A DVD titled “The Heart of the Matter” accompanies the guide and is an excellent training resource on communication and education.

For more information or to purchase your own copies go to the ARDS Store.

ARDS also offers training to support health workers and other medical professionals to provide optimal health care, treatment and prevention programs to Yolŋu people. For more information, email info@ards.com.au.