1. Handbook
  2. Subjects
  3. Indigenous Health in a Global Context

Indigenous Health in a Global Context (POPH90291)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2025 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks
You’re currently viewing the 2025 version of this subject

Overview

Availability
Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery
FeesLook up fees

This is an elective subject in the Master of Public Health program that contributes to the Indigenous health stream and will be a foundation subject for those interested in working with Indigenous peoples. In this subject, students will be introduced to the nuances of the concepts of indigeneity and health across different local and global contexts. This will provide the basis of exploring frameworks, methods, challenges, and solutions to promote health equity of Indigenous peoples globally.

International studies of the health of the world’s almost 400 million Indigenous and tribal peoples provide important public health insights that can advance public policy, research, programs and health services worldwide.

Students will learn about the emergence and importance of rights-based and participatory approaches in mainstream public health policy, research and services, underpinned by high-level international collaboration such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Students will learn how to develop targeted public health policy and programmatic responses with this in mind.

Students will engage with Indigenous and tribal peoples from Australia and around the globe on development and delivery of key strategies, supported by building ethical evidence base through research to improve health. Correction of health inequities experienced by many Indigenous peoples globally requires a transdisciplinary, culturally and contextually relevant, self-determined, and politically savvy approach.

The material in this subject is highly relevant in day-to-day public health practice ranging from local to international development work, and key concepts may be applied to other populations experiencing marginalisation and disadvantage.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Identify and synthesise comparative international literature, case studies, and data that explain the diversity of health status and needs across international jurisdictions, recognising the complexities involved in achieving health equity for Indigenous peoples and local peoples.
  • Distinguish and apply the grounds for debate and critical appraisal of research, public policy, programmatic and health service responses for Indigenous populations in national and international contexts.
  • Describe the relevance of international goals, conventions and standards to public health, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
  • Apply at an introductory level the skills required to assess comparative complex public health needs of Indigenous communities. Apply at an introductory level, the skills to develop and prioritise strategies and interventions to achieve health equity.
  • Demonstrate an introductory understanding of participatory health research, programmatic design, delivery, and evaluation with Indigenous and local peoples by critically analysing relevant case studies, identifying key theoretical frameworks and methodologies, recognising cultural considerations, and evaluating the value and impact of participatory approaches.

Generic skills

  • Critical thinking and analysis
  • Problem-solving
  • Finding, evaluating and using relevant information
  • Written communication
  • Persuasion and argumentation

Last updated: 6 November 2025