Social determinants of health: rural Aboriginal men and participatory action research in Queensland Australia

Abstract

Despite efforts to improve the Australian situation over the last 30 years, evidence suggests deterioration in many aspects of the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly men. This chapter analyses a participatory action research (PAR) process which aims to engage and support the members of a rural Aboriginal men's health group in Yarrabah, north Queensland to, in their own words 'take their rightful place in society'. A systematic approach to evaluating the range of activities of the group high-lighted its impact in significantly enhancing the men's capacity not only to make personal changes but also to link these changes with advocacy for the issues that are related to their broader oppression.