A cross-sectional survey of environmental health in remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.
BACKGROUND
The Australian Aboriginal population experiences significantly poorer health than the non-Aboriginal population. The contribution of environmental risk factors in remote communities to this health disparity is poorly understood.


OBJECTIVE
To describe and quantify major environmental risk factors and associated health outcomes in remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.


METHODS
The association between environmental health indicators, community infrastructure and reported health outcomes was analysed using linear and logistic regression of survey data.


RESULTS
Housing/overcrowding was significantly associated with increased reports of hearing/eyesight (OR 3.01 95 % CI 1.58-5.73), skin (OR 2.71 95 % CI 1.31-5.60), gastrointestinal (OR 3.51 95 % CI 1.49-8.26) and flu/colds (OR 2.47 95 % CI 1.27-4.78) as health concerns. Dust was significantly associated with hearing/eyesight (OR 3.16 95 % CI 1.82-5.48), asthma/respiratory (OR 2.48 95 % CI 1.43-4.29) and flu/colds (OR 3.31 95 % CI 1.88-5.86) as health concerns.


CONCLUSIONS
Poor environmental health is prevalent in remote Aboriginal communities and requires further delineation to inform environmental health policy.
a Menzies Institute for Medical Research , University of Tasmania , Hobart , Australia.
S M
SM
Melody
b Faculty of Health, School of Medicine , University of Tasmania , Hobart , Australia.
E
E
Bennett
c Telethon Kids Institute , University of Western Australia , Perth , Australia.
H D
HD
Clifford
a Menzies Institute for Medical Research , University of Tasmania , Hobart , Australia.
F H
FH
Johnston
c Telethon Kids Institute , University of Western Australia , Perth , Australia.
C C J
CC
Shepherd
d Environmental Health Directorate, Western Australian Department of Health , Perth , Australia.
Z
Z
Alach
d Environmental Health Directorate, Western Australian Department of Health , Perth , Australia.
M
M
Lester
e School of Population Health , University of Western Australia , Perth , Australia.
L J
LJ
Wood
d Environmental Health Directorate, Western Australian Department of Health , Perth , Australia.
P
P
Franklin
b Faculty of Health, School of Medicine , University of Tasmania , Hobart , Australia.
G R
GR
Zosky
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004782:Environmental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014904:Western Australia
Aboriginal health; Environmental health; remote