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Crocetti AC, Walker T, Mitchell F, Sherriff S, Hill K, Paradies Y, Backholer K, Browne J. Making Big Business Everybody's Business: Aboriginal leaders' perspectives on commercial activities influencing aboriginal health in Victoria, Australia. Global Health 2024; 20:33. [PMID: 38637867 PMCID: PMC11025162 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-024-01038-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The commercial determinants of health is a rapidly expanding field of research; however Indigenous perspectives remain notably underrepresented. For Indigenous peoples the intersection of globalisation, colonialism and capitalism may amplify commercially-driven health inequities. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of Aboriginal leaders regarding the influence of commercial activities on Aboriginal health and wellbeing in Victoria, Australia. METHODS Semi-structured interviews with 23 Aboriginal leaders from across five sectors (n = 15 urban, n = 8 rural/regional) were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS Three overarching themes were identified encompassing (i) harmful commercial practices and processes, (ii) improving corporate engagement and (iii) opportunities for self-determination through business. Participants expressed concern over aggressive marketing by the gambling industry, commercial exploitation of Aboriginal culture, the privatisation of public services, and lack of oversignt of corporate social responsibility strategies. Simultaneously, Aboriginal-led businesses were viewed as opportunities for cultural connection, and financial empowerment and self-determination. CONCLUSION Numerous commercial entities and activities are perceived to influence Aboriginal health and wellbeing. This study highlights the need for stronger policy and regulation to mitigate harmful industry practices while incentivising the potential positive impacts of the commercial activities on Aboriginal health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Connor Crocetti
- Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
| | - Troy Walker
- Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Fiona Mitchell
- Deakin Rural Health, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Warrnambool, VIC, Australia
| | - Simone Sherriff
- Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Karen Hill
- Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Yin Paradies
- Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Kathryn Backholer
- Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennifer Browne
- Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia
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