Dr Julie Owen
Fulbright Postdoctoral Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholar sponsored by the Department of Education, Science & Training
Media Profile
“Until a few decades ago, North American Indians (NAI) and Australian Indigenous groups shared in common ‘third world’ health status in first world countries. Since the 1970’s, however, the health of NAI has improved dramatically. The same improvement has not occurred for Australian Indigenous people, despite new policies and increased funding.”
Julie Owen comes from the Nurrunga people of South Australia and has received the 2007 Fulbright Postdoctoral Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship sponsored by the Department of Science, Education & Training (DEST). Julie is currently a Health Promotion Coordinator for the South West Aboriginal Medical Service in Bunbury W.A. She is also a Senior Adjunct Lecturer in Indigenous Health for the School of Population Health at The University of Western Australia, where she completed her PhD in Health on an NH&MRC Scholarship and part time lecturing work.
Julie has a Diploma of Teaching from the University of South Australia and a Masters in Primary Health Care from Flinders University and has worked in Aboriginal health in rural and remote areas across four states of Australia. She also worked with the National Heart Foundation coordinating workshops for Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) on cardiovascular health. Her study, aimed at encouraging and assisting AHWs to act as mentors to lay educators. Local lay educators are trained and supported to deliver heart health information in ‘HealthAware parties’ to those within their social network, sharing information and taking more responsibility for their own health.
Through her Fulbright Scholarship, Julie will undertake research at the Center for Indian Education, Arizona State University and outlaying areas. She will explore the impact of lay educators in effective health promotion programs run by the North American Indian (NAI) Health Services, and in several areas, with similar geographical aspects of our desert, coastal and inland groups here in Australia.
“Cultural barriers to effective health delivery for Indigenous Australians have been recognised as an important factor in the failure of health promotion strategies, whilst health services of the NAI appear to have had considerable success in addressing this issue,” explains Julie. “I will gain knowledge of how traditional medicine and cultural beliefs are merged with modern medicine practices and can complement each other in the delivery of health services to NAI communities.”
“Issues of trust and acceptance are concerns in regards to health professionals working with Aboriginal Australians and I will look into how these issues are dealt with by NAI communities and health providers. Investigating successful NAI health programs should provide insight into effective health strategies that could be adopted for Indigenous Health promotion programs here in Australia.
“Upon returning to Australia I plan to share information with a number of Indigenous community organisations, give talks on health programs, cultural activities and other areas of interest. I aim to raise awareness of the NAI survival and positive influence within the health area. My aim will be to encourage, motivate and challenge Aboriginal groups to achieve better health outcomes through similar programs.”