Aboriginal Health and History: Power and Prejudice in Remote Australia

The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1987-1991) focused attention on the behavioural dimension of Aboriginal health and the lack of appropriate services. This book is a systematic analysis of the sociohistorical and intercultural aspects of mental health in one area of remote Australia, the Kimberly. The author shows how the effects of social disruption, cultural dislocation and loss of power suffered by Aboriginal people have manifested themselves in certain behavioural patterns. The book analyses rising mortality rates from suicide, accidents and homicide amongst Kimberley Aboriginal communities and studies the economic impact of alcohol on these communities. It also considers the role of alcohol in producing violent behaviour and affecting the general level of health.

Ernest Hunter was born in Western Australia and graduated in medicine from the University of Western Australia. He completed his psychiatric training in the USA and also took degrees in International Health and South Asian Religion. He has worked in cross-cultural psychiatry in the Pacific and, on returning to Australia, was involved in Aboriginal health research in the Kimberley region. He has worked in cross-cultural psychiatry in Sydney, and is also the medical editor of the Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal.