This chapter introduces students to the study of morphology. We look in a preliminary way at the difficulty inherent in defining what we mean by a word and introduce the term morpheme. We introduce the basic concepts of simple versus complex words. Students learn the distinction between word tokens, word types, and lexemes. We end with a brief introduction to the difference between inflection and derivation.

In Chapter 6, we discussed the concept of radiative forcing, which is an imposed change in planetary energy balance. In response, the planet’s temperature adjusts so as to restore energy balance, with the climate sensitivity (Section 6.3) determining how much warming is required. Thus, predictions of future climate require predictions of how radiative forcing will evolve in the future combined with an estimate of the Earth’s climate sensitivity.

In Chapter 4, we showed that the temperature of a planet is a function of the solar constant, the albedo of the planet, and the composition of the atmosphere (Equation 4.5). In Chapter 5, we showed that humans are altering the composition of the atmosphere by adding greenhouse gases to it, thereby increasing the number of layers, so we would expect the planet’s temperature to be increasing. In Chapter 2, we showed that temperature is indeed going up. If that were all there was to climate change, we would be done with the science. But, as we’ll talk about in this chapter, there is more interesting physics that we have to consider to fully understand the evolution and magnitude of modern climate change.

This chapter discusses the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from a gendered perspective, considering the different health needs and outcomes experienced by men and women. It begins by unpacking the construct of gender and discussing how gender and gender variations are viewed and accepted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Indigenous understandings of women’s business and men’s business are discussed from historical and contemporary perspectives, with a strong focus on the National Aboriginal Health Strategy’s definitions of the two. The chapter then discusses the differences in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and women, and how the different views they have of health may affect them, before considering how nurses can best provide gender-appropriate care to their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. The chapter concludes by considering how Australian policies have varied in meeting the gendered needs of Indigenous Australians, and how the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women is changing and will continue to do so into the future.

This chapter provides a contextual overview of Torres Strait Islander’s health and wellbeing. It begins by discussing the location and pre-colonisation history of the Torres Strait Islands and their peoples and notes that there is a shift back towards calling the region by its local name, Zenadth Kes. It considers Torres Strait Islanders connections to Country, including the sea, and Kin, and their belonging within tribes and clans. It then discusses Torres Strait Islanders’ perspectives of health and wellbeing both before and after invasion and colonisation and makes suggestions for culturally safe practice that incorporates Torres Strait Islanders’ history. It outlines the current provision of primary health care in the Torres Strait and looks at how this can holistically incorporate traditional medicine practices. The final section of the chapter considers the threat of climate change and its impact on Torres Strait Islanders’ physical and spiritual connection to their Country and consequently their health and wellbeing.

This chapter focuses on the different health needs and outcomes of Indigenous children and their families. It begins by discussing the national policies aimed at improving Indigenous child health, including the National Framework for Health Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Families, and by considering the cultural and social considerations when providing healthcare to Indigenous children. The gap between mortality and morbidity rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and non-Indigenous children is established as the authors call for nurses and midwives to understand the stories behind these statistics, before considering the programs and initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes of Indigenous children. The chapter discusses ways to promote health, and considers common health issues experienced by Indigenous children, including poor nutrition, oral and ear health, and infections. The chapter provides concrete ways in which nurses and midwives can care for Indigenous children and also discusses examples of community programs working to reduce the rate of accidents and self-harm in Indigenous children.

The health outcomes and health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in remote communities are different to those living in regional and urban communities. This chapter discusses the role of remote area nurses (RANs) and their scope of practice, along with the challenges they may face while working in remote Indigenous communities. It establishes the need for RANs to integrate with the community and lead health initiatives. The work RANs may undertake is discussed, as well as the additional qualifications, including immunisation, sexual health endorsements and x-ray licences, which may be of benefit. The chapter discusses the different burden of disease and injury in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities, and the holistic way these communities often perceive health. The chapter calls for cultural safety in remote area nursing, and suggests that respecting differences in culture, communication and health education is critical. The author concludes by reflecting on her own experience as a remote area nurse.

This chapter introduces nursing and midwifery students to the history and current state of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ health. It considers the deficit discourse that is often used to describe Indigenous health, which negatively contrasts Indigenous health with the health of non-Indigenous Australians. The chapter emphasises the importance of understanding the history of Indigenous health, both from pre-colonisation and in the years following. It discusses the recent Uluru Statement from the Heart and the history of the Stolen Generations, and examines the effects on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. The chapter discusses the current health gap that exists between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians, and how the Closing the Gap initiative aims to improve Indigenous health outcomes to the level of non-Indigenous Australians. The chapter portrays health as a social justice issue and encourages a human rights approach to health. It concludes by detailing the personal stories of two First Nations nurses to demonstrate the positive effect Indigenous nurses and midwives can have on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This chapter introduces readers to Indigenous-led research, with a particular focus on qualitative methods. It begins by discussing the history of Indigenous research, which has not always been ethical or culturally appropriate, before discussing the relatively recent push for change as Indigenous people advocated for research by, for and about Indigenous people. This has seen an increase in culturally safe research, where the needs of Indigenous communities are considered throughout the research process. It provides guidance for nurses and midwives to begin research projects, and considers how they can apply ethical research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The chapter then considers common qualitative methods that can be used, before discussing how to undertake a culturally safe qualitative research project by understanding community protocols and engaging the community. The chapter guides readers through the process of ethics approvals, identifying and recruiting participants, conducting focus groups and displaying findings.

This chapter discusses Indigenous birthing practices in remote locations. It begins by considering the traditional practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and the importance of Grandmothers’ Law. It explores traditional practices and taboos around diet, labour, family and breastfeeding for pregnant and post-partum women. It then discusses the changes implemented after colonisation as missionaries became more common and Indigenous women were made to leave their communities and families to give birth in hospitals in larger regional locations. The chapter guides readers through providing culturally safe care to pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, before looking at the shift to reopening birthing centres in remote locations to allow Indigenous women to once again safely give birth on Country.