Australian public health: some history lessons from South Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To draw historical parallels between inequalities in South Africa and Australia and their implications for public health, and especially Aboriginal health, in the latter.


METHODS
To use the work of Terreblanche in South Africa and Houston in Australia to demonstrate the relevance of past inequalities to some of today's health problems.


RESULTS
Economic structural issues remain crucial to the development of and the future health of these two countries. There are more grounds for hope for a more equal society in South Africa than there are in Australia.


CONCLUSIONS
South Africa has made some attempt to face its past while Australia has not. Attempts to kill off Aboriginal culture continue. Aboriginal health will only improve when white Australia is prepared to face its 'black' past and move beyond the racism and indifference that surround Aboriginal affairs. The neo liberalism of both countries serves their disadvantaged populations ill.
Mooney
Gavin
G
Social and Public Health Economics Research Group, Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia. g.mooney@curtin.edu.au
D001315:Australia; D044383:Black People / Q000266:history*; D018595:Colonialism / Q000266:history*; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006806:Human Rights / Q000266:history; D006801:Humans; D011057:Politics; D011287:Prejudice; D011634:Public Health / Q000266:history*; D011640:Public Policy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence