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Experiences of Older Aboriginal People in Navigating Transport Systems in an Urban Setting: An Indigenous Perspective on Transport Access, a Social Determinant of Health

Author

Listed:
  • Tracey Ma

    (School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Rebecca Ivers

    (School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • John Solar

    (School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Aaron Simon

    (School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Evelyne de Leeuw

    (Healthy Urban Environments Collaboratory, Maridulu Budyari Gumal SPHERE, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia)

  • Kathleen Clapham

    (Ngarruwan Ngadju First Peoples Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia)

Abstract

Background: In Australia, Aboriginal people are underserved by the transport system and are less able to easily get to places they need to go than others. This is a part of a larger pattern of exclusion and inequity for Aboriginal people which affects their health, wellbeing, and social participation. Guided by a decolonising framework, this research explored how older Aboriginal people, whose pivotal roles in their families and communities require their mobility, experience the transportation system, providing an Indigenous-centred view of the accessibility of transportation options in society. Methods: Interviews drawing from the yarning technique were conducted with ten older Aboriginal people living in Greater Western Sydney and analysed qualitatively. Results: In addition to the cognitive labour required to decipher the rules of the transport system and organise commitments to match the scheduling of transport services, older Aboriginal people in this study experienced stigmatising attitudes and condescending treatment from service professionals and the public when traveling. Conclusions: This study suggests three potential ways that the current trajectory that underserves older Aboriginal people could be disrupted, relating to service design, the diversity and inclusion agenda, and the social determinants of Indigenous health.

Suggested Citation

  • Tracey Ma & Rebecca Ivers & John Solar & Aaron Simon & Evelyne de Leeuw & Kathleen Clapham, 2022. "Experiences of Older Aboriginal People in Navigating Transport Systems in an Urban Setting: An Indigenous Perspective on Transport Access, a Social Determinant of Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:13778-:d:951045
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martens, Karel & Golub, Aaron & Robinson, Glenn, 2012. "A justice-theoretic approach to the distribution of transportation benefits: Implications for transportation planning practice in the United States," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 684-695.
    2. Engels, Benno & Liu, Gang-Jun, 2011. "Social exclusion, location and transport disadvantage amongst non-driving seniors in a Melbourne municipality, Australia," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 984-996.
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