Author Description

This monograph represents the output of the First National Conference on the Health Care Needs of Australia's Indo-Chinese communities held in June 1989 at the University of Melbourne. In the opening address, Dr N. Blewett, Federal Minister for Community Services and Health, outlined some of the initiatives taken by the Hawke Government. He did so in the context of social justice strategies and based on the notion of multiculturalism that has three dimensions: respect for cultural difference, promotion of social justice and promotion of economic efficiency. Dr T. Minh Tung spoke on problems which are being witnessed in the US. Specifically, Dr Tung discussed South East Asian refugee mental health fourteen years after 1975. He identified the at-risk groups - the newcomers, the teenagers, the elderly refugees, the refugee family and refugees in general. Dr Tung also spoke on traditional medicine and the South East Asian expatriates. Dr B. Trong Cuong and Mr L. Bertelli analysed the census and other national data, highlighting the high fertility rate, low intermarriage rate, the high unemployment and sickness benefit rate, and high smoking incidence among Vietnamese males. Their analysis provided a useful input for others who dealt with cultural bereavement and statistics and a case study of mental health issues. Professor Manderson explored issues relating to the effect of migration, culture and class on health care to people of different cultures. The monograph contains conference recommendations.