Is ‘whiteness’ still dominating Australia’s health services?

Kelly Menzel
An Aboriginal man in his 50s receives dialysis treatment at Purple House, Alice Springs in 2015. Photo: AAP

Due to the ongoing effects of colonisation, First Nations peoples often experience socio-economic disadvantage and health inequality. The pandemic has no doubt worsened these conditions for some.

In addition, the health of Australia’s First Nations peoples is framed in a deficit focus. This means representing First Nations people through a narrative of difference, disparity, disadvantage, dysfunction, and deprivation, what is sometimes referred to as the 5Ds.