Advocacy
Advocacy at Danila Dilba
The vision outlined in the DDHS Strategic Plan 2022 – 2026 is that ‘Biluru people of the Yilli Rreung region experience health, wellbeing and quality of life outcomes that are equal to, or greater than that of non-Indigenous Australians’. To achieve this, we have adopted a ‘whole of life’ approach to the health of our clients, taking into account the social determinants which drive inequities in health outcomes. We strive to improve those outcomes through our services and advocacy.
The DDHS Advocacy and Policy team advocate for evidence-based policy and legislation that advances Aboriginal self-determination, leadership and wellbeing. We take an active role in advocating across a range of policy and practical issues that impact on health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including:
- Child protection, safety and wellbeing
- Youth justice
- Housing and homelessness
- Mental health
- Impact of COVID 19 upon vulnerable populations
- Indigenous evaluation issues
- Sexual violence
- Health systems and funding
- Alcohol policy
DDHS has become a respected voice in a range of policy areas and is an active participant in advocacy, often in conjunction with peak organisations or other coalitions. DDHS is frequently invited by government, peak organisations and coalitions to contribute to submissions, inquiries and policy processes in a range of areas.
Key Aims of Our Scope of Care
- Improve health and wellbeing across the life course.
- Overcome the entrenched inequality faced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people so that their life outcomes are equal to non-Indigenous Australians.
- Provide the best quality services to our clients by providing culturally appropriate care in a safe environment.
Social Determinants of Health
Social determinants of health are the ’causes of the causes’ of poor health. These include living conditions, racism, educational opportunities, employment, working conditions and income, access to transport and health care. and community and social support. Working holistically and collaboratively to improve these attributes is a pathway to better health outcomes.
Current Danila Dilba Advocacy Projects
Submissions
Danila Dilba Health Service makes submissions to parliamentary inquiries and other organisations that provide recommendations to improve the overall health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. All submissions can be found on our Research page.