Injury prevention through employment as a priority for wellbeing among Aboriginal people in remote Australia

Injuries lead to more hospitalisations and lost years of healthy life for Aboriginal people than any other cause. However, they are often overlooked in discussion of relieving Aboriginal disadvantage.

Four Aboriginal communities with diverse geography, culture and service arrangements participated in the Interplay Wellbeing project. In each community, Aboriginal researchers conducted focus groups and interviews arranged through Aboriginal organisations to explore wellbeing. A total of 84 participants contributed to 14 focus groups and eight interviews, which were recorded, transcribed and coded. This article reports on injury and possibilities for prevention, unanticipated themes raised in discussions of wellbeing.

Interpersonal violence, injury and imprisonment emerged as themes that were linked with employment and wellbeing. Employment in Aboriginal ranger programs provides meaningful activity, which strengthens people's identity and cultural integrity. This can avert interpersonal violence through empowering women and reducing alcohol access and consumption.

Ranger programs may provide a much-needed opportunity to control escalating rates of injury for Aboriginal people in remote communities. SO WHAT?: The manifold benefits of Aboriginal ranger programs include reducing violence and its injury and criminal justice consequences.