Year 9 Science · Unit 1 · Lesson 16
Challenge Worksheet
Learning Goals
Evaluate the claim
Someone claims...
"The health gap between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australians is primarily a biological or genetic issue. Aboriginal people are simply more susceptible to chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease because of their genetic makeup, and this is the main reason they have shorter life expectancy. Better medical treatment is the only real solution."
(a) What part of this claim, if any, is supported by scientific evidence from the lesson? Explain carefully.
(b) Using the concept of social determinants of health, identify THREE pieces of evidence that refute the claim that the gap is "primarily biological". For each, explain how it demonstrates a non-biological cause.
(c) The claim states that "better medical treatment is the only real solution." Using examples of diseases like rheumatic heart disease and trachoma, explain why this view is incomplete. What other approaches are needed?
1. The 1789 smallpox epidemic killed over 50% of Aboriginal people along the NSW coast, while European settlers were far less affected. A student says: "This proves that Aboriginal people have weaker immune systems genetically." Identify the flaw in this reasoning and provide the correct scientific explanation.
2. Why do Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations achieve better health outcomes than mainstream services for the same conditions? Draw on specific evidence from the lesson, including at least ONE measurable outcome.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?