There is increasing evidence that the sense of control that people have over their lives, and the sense of hope that this creates is an important determinant of health status. The sense of control is linked to disadvantage, and the resulting sense of powerlessness may be an adverse influence on Indigenous health in Australia. (Ring 1998)

Treaties have appeared to play a role in the development of health services and in social and economic issues in other countries with similar colonial histories. The establishment of such a treaty in Australia has been suggested as one means by which Indigenous people in Australia could achieve greater control over the social and economic issues impacting on their lives.