” The 1 Deadly Step program was developed in partnership by the NSW Healths, Agency for Clinical Innovation and the Country Rugby League to increase awareness of chronic diseases in Aboriginal communities, promote prevention and management, early detection of chronic disease, timely referrals to specialist services, and improve follow up care for chronic disease.

Another positive showcasing the strength of our Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector was that 110/129 of the people screened identified our AMS as their usual provider of care.”

Troy Combo – Healthy for Life & Programs Manager :Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation Richmond Valley NSW

A State-wide campaign aimed at increasing awareness of chronic disease within Aboriginal communities arrived in Casino on 6 April 2016, where locals got to meet NRL ambassadors and local sporting and health heroes.

The local Casino event was rolled out in partnership with the Northern NSW Local Health District, North Coast Primary Health Network, the University Centre for Rural Health (Sydney University) and Solid Mob Tackling Indigenous Smoking Program (Bullinah AHS).

The partner organisations provided in kind support with approximately 40 staff required to man the clinical component of the event. The program provided mini health checks, health referrals and follow ups and used the sporting platform of rugby league to engage local communities to participate.

With great support from local service providers hosting 20 stalls and a day packed with local entertainment the community rallied behind the event in Casino with 129 community members being screened.

The strength of these events is using sports to engage with our young members of the community who generally do not access our service. With the 1 Deadly Step event 37% of people screened were under 29 years of age.

Another positive showcasing the strength of our Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector was that 110 of the people screened identified our AMS as their usual provider of care.

Summary points of the day are below:

• A total of 129 screening assessments were conducted on the event day
• The average age of participants was 37.9 years
• 37.2% of participants were male, 62.8% females
• 93.8% of participants identified as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
• 110 participants nominated Bulgarr Ngaru AMS as their primary health care provider

The Bulgarr Ngaru Aboriginal Medical Corporation is home to the Grafton Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) which was established in 1990 to provide health services to the Aboriginal communities of the Clarence Valley, in Grafton, New South Wales. The service also provides outreach clinics to Baryulgil, Malabugilmah, Yamba and Maclean communities in the surrounding area.

Some of the programs and services the AMS delivers include:

• Aboriginal nutrition research
• alcohol and other drug counselling
• child and adult dental services
• dietitian/nutritionist services
• preventative health programs
• medical clinical services
• mental health case management
• sexual health program

The service is predominantly funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and New South Wales Ministry of Health.

Have you got a positive NACCHO Member service story to share with our 4,000 News alert and 27,00 social media followers ?

Send to Colin Cowell  nacchonews@naccho.org.au