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29 February 2024

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

Truth or Gammon: Is it safe to drink when you’re pregnant?

Central Australian Aboriginal Congress’ series ‘Truth or Gammon’ answers questions surrounding grog and pregnancy, and what’s safest for mums and bubs.

In episode 1, Camille and Tahnee debunk the following statement: It’s safe to drink grog when you are pregnant, if you only have a little bit, or if you drink heaps of water.

Answer: Gammon – no, it is not safe to drink grog at all. It’s not healthy, not safe for your baby, not safe for you, not healthy at all.

Even if you water it down, through any stages of your pregnancy it’s not good to drink.

There’s no safe amount of alcohol, or safe way to drink alcohol when you are pregnant, especially in the early weeks. Alcohol you drink at any stage of pregnancy passes directly to the baby and can damage their developing brain, body, and organs.

You should stop drinking alcohol if you are planning to try to have a baby, or as soon as you know try to have a baby, or as soon as you know you are pregnant.

If you are having trouble avoiding alcohol, there are plenty of places you can get help.

Visit the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress website here, or call 8959 4750.

For NACCHO resources, go here.

‘You’ve got to look back before you can move forward’

Truth-telling and sovereignty are vital to overcoming Indigenous health inequalities, according to a new RACGP submission. The RACGP has welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the Yoorrook Justice Commission – the first formal truth-telling process into historic and ongoing injustice experienced by Aboriginal people in Victoria since colonisation. In the joint submission between RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and RACGP Victoria, the college identifies the importance of acknowledging the root causes of health inequities for Aboriginal people, recognising the health benefits of ‘truth-telling, sovereignty and self-determination’.

RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Chair Dr Karen Nicholls told newsGP that truth-telling is important because people and communities can heal from trauma.

‘The first step is acknowledging the trauma and that those events leading to it occurred. You have got to look back before you can move forward,’ she said.

‘This is not about reliving, it’s about acknowledging that events occurred … [as] a foundation to be able to move forward.

‘Truth-telling is not about blame. It is about hearing a person’s story of their lived experience.’

The submission’s themes include:

  • past and present injustices within the health and healthcare sector
  • challenges and barriers to accessing healthcare
  • health equity – investment in early intervention and preventive healthcare
  • support for increased investment in Aboriginal community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs)
  • increasing the number of Aboriginal healthcare professionals
  • healthcare in custodial settings
  • cultural safety for Aboriginal people in mainstream health services
  • racism in healthcare settings
  • climate change and health.

Learn more here.

Image source: newsGP.

ACCHO teams up with Police for fishing community engagement initiative

A joint initiative of Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health and Lifeline Darling Downs and Queensland Police Service aims to boost community engagement through casting a line to youth in the region, with a shared love of fishing. Police Liaison Officer Chelsea Beardmore and Constable Danel Burton are co-ordinating the program which offers local kids the opportunity to get to know police officers while doing something they love. Open to kids between eight and 17, the first session was attended by 26 young people, which Constable Burton said was a great outcome.

“If we can keep up this level of engagement, we can really break down barriers between young people and police and change these kids’ lives,” he said.

“Feedback from the community, including parents and student at St George State High School, has been overwhelmingly positive. The program has already demonstrated positive changes in youth behaviour, fostering respect and responsibility.”

Read the full article here.

St George police are aiming to foster positive connections with youth in the community with their new “Blue Lures” initiative. Image source: The Courier Mail.

Cancer researcher takes home science award

Dr Justine Clark, a cancer researcher at Telethon Kids Institute, is the co-recipient of the 2024 Australian Academy of Science Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist award. The award recognises her work in precision cancer medicine, treatment that uses an individual’s genetic profile to improve cancer diagnostics, long-term management of cancer, screening and more.

Dr Clark, a PhD researcher in Indigenous genomics at the Telethon Kids Institute, is making ground in progressing precision cancer treatment in Australia. Her work is specifically targeted at closing the gap between First Nations and non-Indigenous Australians’ cancer survival rates through this treatment.

“Aboriginal people are about 14 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, compared with non-Aboriginal people, and also about 20 per cent less likely to survive for five years after diagnosis,” Dr Clark said.

“This research must be guided by community priorities and aspirations, as well as clinical data identifying cancers that have the greatest burden on Indigenous Australians.”

Dr Clark said she is “honoured” to receive the award and dedicates it to those who came before her and paved the way to get to where she is now.

“I always think of my ancestors – they were the first scientists in this country,” Dr Clark said, “and I think of the legacy of people that have come before me that have fought for a better future for our communities.”

Applications for the 2025 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award are now open and close on June 1.

Read more here.

Dr Justine Clark is a PhD researcher at Telethon Kids Institute. Image source: Women’s Agenda.

Language and culture key to Indigenous education

Indigenous children could have much greater educational outcomes if Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups are more closely involved. A report developed by more than 60 Indigenous educators and presented by Elders, senior leaders, and representatives at Parliament house on Wednesday, calls for an Indigenous-led system to improve educational, employment and health outcomes, ensuring students don’t fall behind. The report recommends an approach with a greater focus on Indigenous languages and cultural practices.

“Governments want First Nations people to fit into a colonised, western education system that deliberately removed First Nations language, connection to country land and culture,” the report said.

“Evidence shows that this system is not fit for purpose and is failing many First Nations children.”

Among the six recommendations outlined in the report was the establishment of an Indigenous governing body to oversee the education system, as well as to set up a national network of Indigenous language centres for every language group.

The latest Closing the Gap report showed Indigenous educational outcomes were not on trackto reach the targeted goals by 2031.

Jane Vadiveloo, chief executive of Children’s Ground, said a shake-up of education practices was needed.

“First Nations children educated in their first language and culture have improved learning outcomes, improved economic outcomes, improved health and wellbeing and increased engagement of family in their learning journey,” she said.

“A First Nations designed and led learning system leads to positive outcomes for the individual, their community and beyond.”

Read the full National Indigenous Times article here.

Local languages and cultural practices must be at the heart of Indigenous schooling, a report says. (Image: Dan Peled/AAP PHOTOS).

Inequality widening in key social determinants of health in rural Australia

Highlighting the importance of place-based approaches to analyse and address health inequalities in rural Australia, new research has found that key social determinants of health vary in distribution between and within remoteness categories. While an analysis by Dr Joanne Flavel, Dr Sophie GE Kedzior, Dr Vivian Isaac, Darryl Cameron, and Professor Fran Baum found that premature and avoidable mortality has decreased in all socioeconomic quintiles outside of metropolitan Australia, inequality has increased for premature and avoidable mortality.

Inequality has increased in other indicators including income support, rental stress, and labour force participation.

“Increasing inequality in health and social determinants of health in outer regional, rural and remote areas underscores the ways in which health inequalities strongly correlate with inequalities in social determinants of health”, Flavel and colleagues write in the Rural and Remote Health journal this week.

The research found that while health and social determinants of health by local government areas were worse on average in rural and remote areas compared to metropolitan areas, there was considerable variation in premature and avoidable mortality and in key social determinants of health when outer regional, remote, and very remote areas were compared.

Variation in health and social determinants of health within rural and remote areas in Australia suggests it may not always be appropriate to aggregate regions together in analysis by remoteness. Understanding the variation will point to how policies to improve rural and remote health can be more effective.

Read the full Croakey Health Media article here.

Image source: Alison Barrett on Narungga Country.

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

 

28 February 2024

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

ACCHOs “shining jewels of the Australian heath system”

In the latest episode of the Australian Medical Association’s podcast Doctorama, AMA President Professor Steve Robson chats with Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler.

In the episode, Mister Butler speaks on the latest Closing the Gap report and the need for “the transition of more responsibility to Community Controlled (organisations)”

“I think one of the great shining jewels of the Australian health system and probably the shining jewel in Indigenous affairs is the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector, overseen by NACCHO,” said Minister Butler.

“I think it is a terrific model of primary care, works in very challenging circumstances, particularly outside of our cities in some of the most remote parts of Australia, and in those circumstances does a terrific job.

“…I think there are opportunities to build that capability that haven’t really been grasped over recent years.

“I’ve got my department going through effectively an audit of all of the programs that are directed at Indigenous health, to ask the question ‘if they’re not being delivered by Indigenous Community Controlled organisations, why not? And is there a transition plan for those?’”

To listen to the full Doctorama episode, go here.

Further funding for Birthing on Country program

Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) Molly Wardaguga Research Centre has received nearly $5 million in funding to expand support for Birthing on Country services critical for First Nations mothers and babies. The funding has been provided as part of the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund. The CDU Birthing on Country program currently supports Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHOs) and other partners to establish and evaluate three demonstration Birthing on Country services in rural (Nowra, NSW), remote (Alice Springs, NT) and very remote (Galiwin’ku, NT) sites. This new funding will assist with generating high-quality research that demonstrates the positive clinical, economic, and social impacts of this innovative service at a societal and family level in diverse geographical areas.

Molly Wardaguga Research Centre Director and Professor of Indigenous Health Yvette Roe, a proud Njikena Jawuru woman, said generating the evidence and expanding the Birthing on Country program will go a long way in supporting the equity of birthing experiences of First Nations women across Australia.

“This funding helps to solidify the work we have been doing with our community partners to test the translation of a clinically and cost-effective service model in an urban setting into geographically diverse locations,” Professor Roe said.

“The Birthing on Country program is informed by First Nations knowledge and at its core it is about maternal health justice. It supports a First Nations workforce trained to care for mothers and babies and focuses on improving the two-way cultural knowledge transfer in the birthing system.”

Over the five-year period of the grant the Molly Wardaguga Research Centre will establish a Birthing on Country Translation Research Centre to drive the scale-up of the program. The Centre will look to develop and evaluate an educational program on reflective supervision, cultural safety, and trauma-informed care as well as a 24/7 clinical midwifery program as First Nations midwifery staff transition from standard care to Birthing on Country services.

Read more here.

Midwife Melanie Briggs holds newborn Talekai during a special cultural ceremony. (Naomi Locke Photography).

Hearty contest for creative health solutions

The Heart Foundation is reminding people from across Australia to submit their most innovative ideas for the 2024 Active Australia Innovation Challenge. Already live, the national challenge is seeking creative ideas to encourage and support physical activity for heart health across all Australian communities.

Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for heart disease, Australia’s biggest killer. The Active Australia Innovation Challenge aims to uncover and support innovative solutions that can break down barriers to physical activity and create more opportunities for Australians to move their way to better heart health. The Heart Foundation’s Manager for Heart Health, Kym Lang, said communities were best placed to lead on local solutions and that winning entries would be supported with grants of up to $50,000.

“We are seeking bright ideas to get more people moving that can be implemented in communities, schools, workplaces, or healthcare settings,” Ms Lang said.

“The solutions can be in the form of technology, programs, or any initiative that can demonstrably increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in the Australian population.”

The Active Australia Innovation Challenge is open to individuals, schools, community groups, organisations, and businesses across Australia. The Heart Foundation is especially interested in ideas supporting people most at risk of cardiovascular disease and increasing the participation of diverse groups and priority populations in physical activity, including Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people living with a disability and people living in rural and remote regions.

Applications close Friday March 1.

For more information, visit the Heart Foundation website here.

“It is more than just a job – it is a cultural calling and obligation”

Nestled within the heart of the community, Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative serves as a vital lifeline, embodying the essence of holistic care and cultural preservation. Operated by the Aboriginal community and aligned with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) model, Rumbalara provides comprehensive and culturally appropriate care through a locally elected Board of Management. At the helm stands Felicia Dean, a proud Yorta Yorta woman, loving mother and grandmother, and devoted CEO, business owner and community leader. Returning to her role of CEO in 2019 was a moment that filled Felicia with both humility and strength.

“It is more than just a job – it is a cultural calling and obligation. A chance to serve past, present and future generations with honour and integrity,” she said.

Guided by principles of self-determination and flexibility, Felicia has embraced the challenges and triumphs that come with advocating for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities’ rights and aspirations. Through the ACCHO model, Rumbalara secures equitable funding akin to mainstream services within the domain of health and wellbeing. Through this allocation, Rumbalara effectively exhibits genuine self-determination by reshaping the Western framework to provide culturally sensitive services that are guided and shaped by Indigenous voices.

“Our mission is about more than physical wellbeing, including the social, cultural and emotional wellbeing of the whole community, from Birth to Dreamtime,” said Felicia.

Drawing upon the strength and wisdom of our Ancestors, who have tirelessly preserved and passed down Traditional knowledge and practices, we honour their legacy by nurturing our culture and keeping our spirit alive.”

To read the full article, go here.

Image source: Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative.

UQ researcher to investigate Indigenous health inequalities

A University of Queensland researcher has been awarded more than $1.5 million from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to work with Indigenous communities to help address health inequalities among Indigenous children and adolescents living in Australian cities.

Associate Professor Abdullah Mamun from the UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health will lead a team in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHOs) in Brisbane and Darwin to co-develop a behavioural intervention program that can be embedded into existing models of care.

Indigenous children and adolescents living in cities are at higher risk of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and mental illness compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts and Indigenous youth who live in remote areas. The program will develop culturally safe, responsive, and effective interventions to improve quality of life for Indigenous children and adolescents living in city environments.

The NHMRC scheme is enabled through the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD), a collaboration of major international funding agencies focused on addressing non-communicable disease risks in vulnerable populations.

Read more here.

Image source: The University of Queensland.

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

Teal Ribbon Day – Wednesday 28 February 2024

Teal Ribbon Day in Australia is an annual event, usually observed on the last Friday of February, that is held to raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research.

Teal Ribbon Day in Australia can be traced back to the early 2000s, when a group of women who had been affected by ovarian cancer came together to raise awareness about the disease and to support other women who were going through similar experiences. They chose the colour teal as the symbol of ovarian cancer awareness because it is a unique and striking colour that stands out and is easily recognisable. The first official Teal Ribbon Day in Australia was held in 2004 and since then, the event has grown to become an important annual event that is recognised and supported by people all over the country. Today, Teal Ribbon Day is observed by a wide range of groups and individuals, including ovarian cancer support groups, cancer charities, and health organisations.

One of the key aspects of Teal Ribbon Day in Australia is the focus on raising funds for ovarian cancer research and support services. Another important aspect of Teal Ribbon Day in Australia is the emphasis on awareness-raising. It’s a great opportunity to educate others about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer; raise awareness about the importance of early detection; and provide information about the latest treatments and research and how to support those affected.

You can:

  • find more information about ovarian cancer, including signs and symptoms, on the Our Mob and Cancer Ovarian Cancer webpage here.
  • view the NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Plan on NACCHO’s website here.
  • watch the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet video Gynaecological cancer among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia here.

tile, teal ribbon, wood background, text 'teal ribbon day'

27 February 2024

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

Indigenous-led model sees decrease in infant removals

Women who receive support through an Indigenous-led model of maternity care are three times less likely to have Indigenous newborn children removed by child protection services, new research has shown. It comes in the wake of a scathing Productivity Commission report which threw a spotlight on the failure by successive governments to reduce the issues of out-of-home care for Indigenous children.

The research, from the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), highlighted data collected at UIH’s Salisbury ‘Birthing in Our Community’ (BiOC) Community Hub in from 2013 to 2019. The results showed a significant decrease in the number of mothers who had their children removed when undertaking the BiOC service model, as opposed to the standard care.

Bundjalung woman and BiOC’s service development manager, Kristie Watego, said the results confirmed it was possible to make meaningful changes to metrics with “holistic co-designed services”. “Existing maternity care models, and child protection systems, lack preventative measures and fail to prioritise family preservation,” Ms Watego said. “IUIH’s BiOC service is a holistic, Indigenous-led and governed, multi-agency partnership between ACCHOs and hospitals in parts of SE Queensland.”

Data from 2021-2022 in the South-Queensland jurisdiction where the research is recorded, Indigenous children made up 43% of all infants in out-of-home care whilst only accounting for 9.7% of the infant population. Ms Watego said the research showed the care improved family outcomes, reduced child protection intervention, and significantly reduced related costs for the health system.

To view the National Indigenous Times article Indigenous-led model sees a reduction in Indigenous infants being removed by child services  in full click here.

portrait shot of Kristie Watego wearing black shirt with IUIH logo

Kristie Watego says holistic co-designed services can improve outcomes for Indigenous mothers and their children. Photo: Chris Gillette/ABC News. Image source: National Indigenous Times.

Clinical redesign improves follow-up care

Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District’s Walanga Gul service, formerly known as the 48 Hour Follow Up Service, is improving service engagement and health outcomes for First Nations clients following a clinical redesign implemented by Primary Care and Community Health staff. One of the project innovators, Kaysan Penning, AHW with Primary Care and Community Health said, “First Nations people living with chronic disease are more likely to be re-admitted to hospital within 28 days compared to non-Aboriginal people. At the commencement of the redesign, it was found that only 47% of clients referred to the service could be contacted within 48 hours, with 32% of clients unable to be contacted at all. Data also showed that one in 10 clients re-presented to Nepean Hospital within 28 days of discharge.

A lack of cultural connection to the service and worry that they might be asked to return to the hospital were reported by clients as barriers that affected participation in the service. To improve the service on offer for First Nations people and increase cultural connection to the service, the redesign project renamed the 48 Hour Follow Up Service to Walanga Gul, which means ‘follow up’ in Darug language. “This was an important part of the redesign that immediately identifies it as a First Nations service and also lets our clients know that we’re just calling to have a yarn after their hospital visit,” says Kaysan.

“Our redesign also identified a lack of culturally appropriate patient experience measure tools available to collect client feedback, so while updating the existing model of care, we worked with the local community to co-design a culturally appropriate patient reported experience measure.” While the project continues in the implementation phase, the redesign and rebranding has so far increased completion of referrals within 48 hours, increased contact with clients and decreased hospital representations within 28 days of discharge.

To view the NSW Government Nepean Blue Mountains LHD Latest News article Clinical redesign improves follow-up care in full click here.

from left: Anna Esdaile, Belinda Fowler and Kaysan Penning, wach holding a booklet, with Kim Sutherland, ACI Evidence Director

From left: Project innovators, Anna Esdaile, Belinda Fowler and Kaysan Penning with Kim
Sutherland, ACI Evidence Director. Image source: NSW Government Latest News webpage.

AMA Qld against proposed pharmacy ownership laws

AMA Queensland has urged a parliamentary inquiry to recommend against proposed pharmacy business ownership laws that would make it harder for new owners to enter the market. The Productivity Commission, the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) and the RACGP have also expressed serious concerns about the Pharmacy Business Ownership Bill 2023, which was negotiated secretly from October 2022 to March 2023.

AMA Queensland CEO Dr Brett Dale warned of the potential impacts on First Nations communities if ACCHOs were banned from running pharmacies, “To be frank, it is outrageous that the bill shows disregard for the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and potentially will undermine the provisions for culturally safe services for First Nations communities.” Allowing ACCHOs to own on-site pharmacies would provide culturally safe and appropriate care, improve compliance with medication and accessibility and lead to better health outcomes, he said.

QAIHC deputy chief executive David Harmer called for the bill to be amended to expressly exempt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled services from the ownership requirements. Without culturally safe service provision, Indigenous people tend not to comply with the instructions related to the use of medicines and, as a consequence, do not use medicines appropriately or at all, he said. “This results in a significant underspend on the use of safe medicines for Aboriginal and Islander people. In fact, it is estimated that for every $1 spent on other Australians just 30 cents is spent on Aboriginal and Islander people,” Mr Harmer said.

To view the AMA Queensland article Draft pharmacy ownership laws bad for consumers in full click here.

hand holding blister packs, other hand holding clipboard & pen, background shelves of medicines

Image source: AMA website.

2024 IAHA Leadership Program EOIs close Thursday

The 2024 Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) Leadership Program is open for expressions of interest until Thursday 29 February 2024. The IAHA program has been designed to promote a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, cultural governance, advocacy, influencing others, community development and Nation-building approaches, according to IAHA.

The IAHA says the program will be guided by “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of working, including knowing, being and doing. The Program develops the attributes and skills to become an effective, culturally responsive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leader”. The program will take approximately 60 hours spread across a nine-month duration, averaging approximately one and a half hours a week commitment from those taking part.

Cory Paulson, who completed the program in 2022, said “one key take away of the program was how the First Nations’ cultural ways of knowing, being, and doing, connects to how we lead in health and other industries. The benefit was the IAHA’s network of First Nations leaders and knowledge holders’ expertise that supported, educated, and mentored us through the program and who were able to generate insights on leadership through a cultural lens.” Mr Paulson also cited continuous involvement, where possible, with the organisation post-program, including attendance at their annual events and cultural learning opportunities, as well as regular engagement with the IAHA membership network.

You can find more information relating to the program, as well as the EOI form here and view the Barrier Truth article IAHA Leadership Program opens in full click here.

ATSI man with VtP Yes t-shirt speaking into microphone on outside stage

Image source: Barrier Truth.

Review of mob’s experiences with cancer care

Persistent disparities exist between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians associated with cancer, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experiencing a longer time to treatment, higher morbidity rates, and higher mortality rates. A systematic review has investigated findings and recommendations in the literature about the experiences and supportive care needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with cancer in Australia.

Six key themes were determined: Culture, family, and community; cancer outcomes; psychological distress; access to health care; cancer education and awareness; and lack of appropriate data. Culture was seen as a potential facilitator to achieving optimal cancer care, with included studies highlighting the need for culturally safe cancer services and the routine collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status in healthcare settings.

The review concluded that future work should capitalise on these findings by encouraging the integration of culture in healthcare settings to increase treatment completion and provide a positive experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with cancer.

To view the BMC Public Health article Systematic review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ experiences and supportive care needs associated with cancer in full click here.

You can also view a range of resources on the Australian Government Cancer Australia website here which provide practical advice for non-Indigenous health professionals to optimise culturally safe and responsive communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, their families and carers.

ATSI middle-aged woman

Image source: The Social Deck webpage Training videos to support non-Indigenous health care professionals caring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer patients.

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

Summer’s Day – Thursday 29 February 2024

Summer’s Day, held on the last day of summer each year, was established in honour of Summer Steer, who died as a result of a preventable injury, swallowing a button battery. The day is a time to stop and remember all the children who have lost their lives as a result of an unintentional injury, and acknowledge those children and families living with the consequences of preventable injury. Accidental injury can snatch the life of a child whose parents have taken every precaution just as surely as one whose parents simply haven’t realised the dangers of growing up in today’s world.

In Australia, more than one child each month sustains a time-critical or severe injury related to swallowing or inserting (into nose or ears) a button battery, with children under the age of five being at greatest risk. Button batteries present a problem whether they are ingested or inserted in an ear or nose; wherever they have prolonged local contact with the body.

Damage occurs when the battery charge generates a chemical reaction that causes a localised caustic injury – a burn. It is vital to detect a swallowed battery as soon as possible because of the nature of the threat involved. Depending on their size, button batteries have a tendency to lodge in the oesophagus (food pipe). Damage can begin after only 1-2 hours. If the ingestion is not recognised, the battery can erode through into vital organs, causing catastrophic damage and sometimes death. If parents believe their child has swallowed a battery, call the 24/7 Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 and not give any food or water.

You can find more information about:

  • button batteries on the Kidsafe Qld Inc website here, and
  • the Summer’s Day Button Battery Safety Campaign here.

26 February 2024

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

The mental toll of living with a rare disease

Living with a chronic condition places a daily emotional strain on both patients and caregivers. Those with an undiagnosed or rare disease face unique challenges, including a longer time to diagnosis, more frequent misdiagnoses, few – if any – available treatments, and often complex care. Researchers have found that adults with rare disorders report a lower quality of life in all domains than the general population and people with common chronic diseases such as hypertension, arthritis, and asthma. They reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and decreased social engagement.

People coping with rare diseases often experience stigma, social isolation, or misunderstandings. This applies not only to readily apparent conditions but also to those invisible rare diseases that may not be immediately noticeable upon looking at a person. Some rare diseases are so rare that doctors have never seen or heard about them. Patients will often travel across the country to see one specialist after another, taking time off work or school in search of answers. In Australia, the average time to receive a diagnosis for a rare disease is five years, but many patients can wait for more than a decade before knowing what causes their suffering. Some will never fully know.

In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are an especially vulnerable group of people. The overall burden of rare diseases in Indigenous communities is unknown. But approximately one-fifth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples live in remote areas, resulting in even less access to clinical expertise at the point of care and referrals to genetics specialists. Healy believes that mental health support should be tailored to these families’ spiritual and cultural backgrounds.

To view the COSMOS article The mental toll of living with a rare disease in full click here.

4-year old Leilia Sutherland (Sep 2017) with female adult, first ATSI person to be diagnoses with LDS

Leilamarie Sutherland is the only Aboriginal person to ever be diagnosed with Laron Dwarf Syndrome. Image source: NITV News.

Vic report finds decline in vital cancer screenings

According to a major new report released today, an alarming number of eligible Victorians are continuing to miss important cancer screenings. These new figures show a worrying decline in Victoria that is in part due to the impact of COVID-19 – but also where people live. The inaugural 2022 Victorian Cancer Screening Annual Statistical Report tracked the uptake of screening for the most common of breast, cervical and bowel cancers.

In an Australian first, the report offers unique cancer screening insights across regions, age groups and trends. Commissioned by the Victorian government, it used data from the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, BreastScreen Victoria and the National Cervical Screening Program in Victoria and found a decline in screening across all three cancers. It identified that just half of those eligible for breast screening took up the opportunity between 2020 and 2022. The report also found people living in metropolitan Melbourne were about five times more likely to have a screening mammogram than those living in Gippsland. It was a similar story for bowel cancer screening. Those in the eastern and northwestern suburbs of Melbourne were almost four times more likely to complete the test than rural residents in Gippsland, the Murray region and western Victoria.

The report was developed in collaboration with the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer and VACCHO under the Victorian Cancer Screening Framework. The results will now help with the development of the government’s Victorian Cancer Plan 2024-2028. This identifies ways to prevent cancer, increase survival, improve treatment and care and achieve equitable outcomes.

The above is an extract from the article New Victorian government report finds decline in vital cancer screenings published in the Gold Coast Bulletin earlier today.

You find bowel cancer screening resources for community members and health professionals developed by NACCHO on the Bowel Cancer Screening webpage of the NACCHO website here.

You can view the Hon Mary-Anne Thomas, Victorian Minister for Health’s media release Victorians urged to keep up with cancer screening checks in full here.

rear image of woman having a breast mammogram

Only half of the people eligible to have breast mammogram screening did so in Victoria between 2020 and 2022. Photo: AFP. Image source: The Gold Coast Bulletin.

Free Governance Workshops for ACCHOs

To all the ACCHOs out there.

There are FREE Governance Workshops coming your way!

  • Sydney 19-20 March
  • Perth 16-17 April

Future workshops that will be in different locations.

]These workshops are designed for people working in member ACCHOs and are run by legal experts. The workshops cover:

  • Principles of good governance.
  • Managing conflicts of interest.
  • Managing risk (e.g. contract execution, etc.).
  • Delegation of powers.
  • Finance for Boards.
  • Structure and role of boards and sub-committees; and
  • Governance documents.

You can register here or by scanning the QR code in the tile below.

NACCHO tile: NACCHO logo; text 'ACCHO Governance Workshops Free 2-day workshops focusing on governance relevant to ACCHOs! - Sydney 19-20 March; Perth 16-17 April - Additional locations announced soon! - REGISTER NOW! QR Code

Qld to expand on-Country sentencing for youth

A program that sends First Nations juvenile offenders to regional areas rather than detention centres, where appropriate, will be expanded by the Qld government. The on-Country initiative is already on trial in the state, relocating Indigenous children to work on the land and learn life skills in a bid to break the cycle of offending. On-Country programs provides voluntary alternatives for youth who are engaged in the justice system to participate in programs that promote connection to culture, learn life skills, improve school and community participation in attempt to curb offending and re-offending.

As pressure on the juvenile detention system grows amid what media and government are saying is a ‘youth crime outcry’, Qld Premier Steven Miles confirmed the relocation sentencing program will be expanded across the state. Mr Miles and Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer made the announcement on Wednesday in Townsville, one of three locations where the program is being trialled. “There isn’t one simple solution to stopping all youth offending, but evidence tells us that on-Country programs have had some real success,” Mr Miles said.

One such program is the Jabalbina Healing Camp, run by Jabalbina Aboriginal Program in Mununda, Far North Qld. Gudjala man and General Manager of the on-Country program, James Kerr says the program aims to reengage young people back into culture and revive spiritual connections to the land. “It’s about strengthening family relationships and connections within the community and promoting that positive self identity,” he told NITV. Kerr says a core component of the program is helping young people find their identity, regardless of what they are dealing with or barriers they are facing in the outside world.

To view the SBS NITV article On-Country sentencing for Indigenous youth expanded in Queensland in full click here.

rear silhouettes of 7 ATSI youth at dusk walking into sea

On-Country initiatives relocate Indigenous youth offenders to work on the land, connect to culture and learn life skills in a bid to break the cycle of offending. Photo: Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation. Image source: SBS NITV.

Clinics aim for wellbeing and connection

A project led by Ballarat Community Health (BCH) is aiming to help multicultural people, and those over the age of 65, stay healthy no matter where they are in the Grampians region. The Community Connections and Wellbeing initiative has a focus on COVID-19 prevention, including the provision of vaccines, and boosting social connections, across Ballarat, and the Hepburn, Pyrenees, Ararat, northern Grampians, and Horsham areas.

“We know that people over 65 and in multicultural communities are more at-risk if they do get COVID-19,” said BCH manager healthy communities, Louise Feery. “For whatever reasons, they quite often do not follow up on some of the early warning signs of more serious health issues such as diabetes, heart and lung health, mental health, and cancer screening. People also aren’t that keen to come to an event or talk about COVID-19 as much as they were, so we’re coming to them, and trying to get them back to socialising and feeling safe in the community.”

Over the coming months, BCH staff will be travelling the region in their mobile healthcare van, to deliver vaccinations, check-ups, and information. BCH has partnered with Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-operative, Grampians Community Health, Grampians Public Health Unit, and WRISC to deliver the project which has been funded by the State’s Department of Health. “Community health is all about partnerships and collaboration to effectively reach the broader community and make health access easy and affordable for everyone,” Ms Feery said.

To view the Golden Plains Times article Clinics aim for wellbeing and connection in full click here.

Ballarat Community Health’s Community Connections and Wellbeing project coordinator Janine Hourigan and manager of healthy communities Louise Feery with the mobile health van

On the road: Ballarat Community Health’s Community Connections and Wellbeing project coordinator Janine Hourigan and manager of healthy communities Louise Feery with the mobile health van. Photo: Edwina Williams. Image source: Golden Plains Times.

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

Rare Disease Day – Thursday 29 February 2024

The last day of February each year is Rare Disease Day, a day to raise awareness and drive change for the 300 million people worldwide living with a rare disease. Rare conditions are a public health priority; as recognised in the first United Nations resolution on Addressing the challenges of persons living with a rare disease and their families. A rare condition is defined as a disease that affects no more than 1 in 2,000 people. Individually rare, but collectively common, there are more than 7,000 different rare diseases. An estimated 2 million Australians (8% of the population) live with rare disease.

Although each person’s experience of living with rare disease is unique, there are many shared challenges. Rare diseases affect people’s social and emotional health and wellbeing, their relationships, ability to work and plan for the future, and their finances. The rarity of these conditions means that individuals, their families and clinicians often struggle to find suitable health services, information, holistic care and support.

In 2020, the Australian Government launched the first nationally coordinated policy approach to address rare diseases in Australia, the National Strategic Action Plan for Rare Diseases, available here. Rare Voices Australia (RVA), the national peak body for Australians living with rare disease, led the collaborative development of the Action Plan, which involved an extensive multistakeholder consultation process. The Action Plan is a game changer. It has achieved cross-partisan support, and clearly articulates the priorities, actions, and implementation steps required to achieve the best possible health and wellbeing outcomes for people living with rare disease.

To view the InSight+ article Time to make rare diseases everyone’s business in full click here.

tile graphic image globe & 6 people different gender, age, nationality at top; text ' 29 Feb 2024 Rare Disease Day - Share Your Colours'

Image source: World Federation of Neurology website.

23 February 2024

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

Calls for $4b First Nations housing investment

The Australian Institute of Architects has urged the federal government to accelerate the progress of First Nations housing development by investing more funds into social housing. In a pre-budget submission to the federal government regarding the 2024 Australian Government Budget, the Institute proposed an additional $4 billion should be allocated to the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) for a dedicated $4 billion fund aimed at First Nations codesigned social housing. The Institute further recommended that the First Nations-specific funding should be within a pool of additional $10 billion of social and affordable housing.

Institute national president, Stuart Tanner, said the Productivity Commission’s recent Review on Closing the Gap underscored the crucial policy changes required to meet housing delivery targets. He emphasised that housing priority should be given to First Nations Australians as this would assist with addressing the concerning statistic, revealed by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, that one in five residences inhabited by Indigenous people do not meet an acceptable standard.

Mr Tanner said, “Australia needs better and more culturally appropriate housing for our First Nations people,” Tanner said. “A codesign process together with First Nations peoples can support communities to build and maintain housing and local economies through construction and skills development. A safe, secure and sustainable home has become out of reach for many households. We need to increase the supply of housing to change the dynamics and provide the human right of shelter to all Australians.”

To view the ArchitectureAU article Institute calls for $4 billion First Nations housing investment in full click here.

aerial view of rooftops of houses in urban area

Photo: Tom Rumble – Unsplash. Image source: ArchitectureAU.

Shingles is both common and painful

A new survey has exposed a lack of awareness of shingles amongst older Australians. The survey, by GlaxoSmithKline (G-S-K), has found many people think shingles is serious – but also that it won’t happen to them. And that’s far from the truth. “I just started getting blisters on my arm and the back of my neck. Started just itching – very itchy… A couple of days after the blisters, I went to the doctor and yeah, they diagnosed shingles.” That is Pamela, a woman who developed shingles in her late 50s. She’s shared her story with G-S-K, who have launched a website called knowshingles.com.au for Shingles Awareness Week, Monday 26 February to Sunday 3 March 2024. G-S-K says not enough people realise how vulnerable they are to the condition or know how serious it can be.

Professor Tony Cunningham, Director of the Centre for Virus Research at the University of Sydney says shingles is actually fairly common, because so many of us have had chicken pox as children or young adults. “It’s caused by the chickenpox virus and then, as people age, the virus re-emerges and causes an infection of the skin. The people who are at risk are those who are ageing, particularly those are over the age of 50. About one in three people in their lifetime will develop shingles at some stage.”

There’s a vaccine for shingles called Shingrix – which normally costs $560 per immunisation. In 2023, Health Minister Mark Butler announced the vaccine would become free for certain groups, like those aged over 65 or people who are immunocompromised. Dr Megan Campbell from NACCHO told SBS News First Nations people have also been included in the vaccination program, “We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are more likely to get shingles and more likely to get it at a younger age. The new vaccine is safer and more effective than the last one that we had. And importantly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can get a free two-dose course from the age of 50.”

To listen to the SBS News podcast Shingles is both common and painful and it could happen to you click here. You can also find a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health resources relating to shingles on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website here.

poster - ATSI older woman with text 'Shield Yourself From Shingles'

Image source: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Boosting food security in remote communities

The Albanese government has vowed to improve food security in remote Aboriginal communities with an investment of more than $1m on a range of projects:

  • remote NT community of Robinson River – $69,000 for crucial supply flights of food and essentials to help ensure access to food during the wet season, when the community is cut off for several months at a time
  • Urapunga Store, 600 km SE of Darwin – $570,000 to convert an existing structure into an insulated and enclosed fully fledged store
  • Minjilang Community, on Croker Island, 250 kms north east of Darwin – a $100,000 for a purpose built freezer and food storage facility needed due to regular extreme weather events that disrupt and often delay their weekly barge resupply
  • Atitjere Homelands Store Aboriginal Corporation, Central Australia – $97,000 towards a new forklift and 24 hour fuel payment system
  • Mt Liebig community, 300 kms west of Alice Springs – $128,000 for new takeaway meal facilities ensuring better access to nutritious and healthy food
  • Darling River Supermarket in Menindee in far west of NSW – $99,000 to fund urgently needed upgrades to the supermarket

The federal government said yesterday, Thursday 21 February 2024, that it is working in “genuine partnership” with ACCHOs, and state and territory governments, to improve food security in remote First Nations communities. The government noted it has committed $11.8m to develop and implement a National Strategy for Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities. Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said “we have heard from many people living in remote communities that one of the biggest issues is access to affordable, fresh and healthy food”.

To view the National Indigenous Times article Federal government commits to boosting food security in remote Aboriginal communities in full click here.

Craig Woods shopping in the Ininti store, Mutijulu - holding an apple & bag of grapes

Craig Woods shopping in the Ininti store, Mutijulu. Image source: National Indigenous Times.

Trial aims to improve heart health and reduce strokes

When Aunty Mary Waites, a Ngemba woman from Brewarrina in western NSW, joined a research trial aimed at helping to reduce the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait people, she saved her husband’s life. When Aunty Mary had her blood pressure checked by the local Aboriginal Medical Service, as part of the study, it prompted her husband Lindsay to do the same.

Mr Waites had an abnormal reading and went to Dubbo hospital for more tests, which found two and a half blocked arteries. He had surgery at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where doctors found another one and a half-blocked arteries. “Lindsay had no symptoms or pain, the only reason we found out about this was because he had a simple 30-second check done,” Aunty Mary said. “I would encourage all our people to get tested – it’s just a few seconds that could save your life.”

Aboriginal health experts at the Heart Research Institute are sounding the alarm on atrial fibrillation (AF), a leading cause of stroke, amid the pilot study which encourages people to take a greater role in their healthcare. Bundjalung Elder Boe Rambaldini, Associate Professor with the Djurali Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research, said Aboriginal people are more likely to suffer cardiac problems like heart disease and stroke, due to the prevalence of AF or an irregular heartbeat, with too many people falling through the cracks in the mainstream health system.

“Aboriginal people experience higher levels of AF at an earlier age than the general population, and research shows we are also experiencing catastrophic strokes at a much younger age,” he said. “We want to close the gap when it comes to healthcare, and we can do this by helping Aboriginal people be more actively involved in their own health. Checking for AF is one simple way.”

To view The West Australian article In a heartbeat: smart watches helping to close the gap in full click here.

Aunty Mary Waites with black t-shirt featuring Aboriginal art, walking along riverbank

Aunty Mary Waites from Brewarrina. Photo: Naya Jeffries. Image source: The Western Herald.

ACCHO to convert nursing home to service hub

Yerin Aboriginal Health Services is a not-for-profit ACCHO and the only Aboriginal Medical Service on the Central Coast, Darkinjung Country, NSW. The ACCHO services over 4,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on Darkinjung Country, from their facility at Mardi and clinics at Wyong and Umina Beach.

Yerin Aboriginal Health Services has plans to instill new life into the former Japara Aged Care Facility at Mardi and establish a community centre with a range of wellbeing programs for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. After Japara closed in August 2020, Yerin bought the property on the banks of Wyong River and set about converting it into a community facility to be run by Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services.

The range of community services run by Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services are currently spread over six separate tenancies in Wyong and the aim is to re-purpose the nursing home will streamline those services by bringing them together into one building. It will become a community hub and connection point with support from other services such as Lifeline, Wesley Mission, NDIS providers, visiting health providers and a wide range of other services for education, training, cultural activities, forums and outreach programs.

To view Coast Community News article New life for former nursing home in full click here. You can also find more information about Yerin Aboriginal Health Services on their website here.

Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services logo & image of Japara nursing home building

Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services logo and Japara nursing home. Image source: Coast Community News.

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

International Family Drug Support Day – 24 February 2024

International Family Drug Support Day first started in 2016 and is held annually on or around 24 February to draw attention to the importance of families affected by alcohol and/or drugs, including the benefits of supporting families. When families are given education, awareness and tips on coping and keeping safe, the outcome for everyone is improved. From small beginnings it has grown to international events in most Australian major cities and several overseas. The overall theme for the FDS events is Support the Family-Improve the Outcome and the theme for 2024 is Supported Families – Stronger Communities.

Events feature key speakers addressing key objectives:

  1. Reducing shame, stigma and discrimination in families.
  2. Promoting support services for families and friends affected by drug use.
  3. Promoting harm reduction strategies to keep people safe, including heroin prescription, pill testing and decriminalisation of the use of drugs.

The day aims to highlight:

  • The importance of volunteers in providing family support across Australia.
  • Reducing fatal and non-fatal overdoses and other critical incidences as a result of drug use.
  • Promoting greater support and resources for treatment services.
  • How giving people support and education can help families develop skills and strategies to deal with issues arising from drug use.”Any family anywhere, regardless of background, economic and other circumstances can be affected by drugs. We hope this annual event will reach members of the community and change some of the negative attitudes that exist.” Tony Trimingham, Founder and CEO of Family Drug Support.

You can more information about International Family Drug Support Day 2024 on the Family Drug Support Australia website here.

tile with man hugging Anna; mum hugging Cain, Dad hugging Crystal & text 'Supported Families - Stronger Communities - internationalfdsday.fds.org.au; National Support Line: 1300 368 186; Family Drug Support Day 24 Feb - Let's Talk

Image source: Family Drug Support Australia website.

22 February 2024

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

Apply now: NACCHO Antimicrobial Stewardship Academy

Antibiotics to treat infections are the most commonly prescribed medicine in remote Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This high level of prescription is needed to treat the common, serious infections that are well reported in these communities. However, the downside to antibiotic prescribing is that bacteria may develop mechanisms that stop the antibiotic from working. This is called antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and is a significant problem in Australia and worldwide.

The NACCHO Antimicrobial Stewardship Academy (ASA) is a free five-month program (beginning April 2024), aimed at health workers or health professionals working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector who are interested in upskilling in antibiotic use, audit, stewardship, surveillance, and resistance.

Candidate nominations to participate will come from interested health care organisations who support the candidate to develop skills and implement change in their organisation. Fostering colleagues with these skillsets will be critical for safe prescribing, improved antibiotic stewardship and advocacy to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are included in national efforts to address antimicrobial use and resistance.

The training will include skills in how to:

  • Perform antimicrobial stewardship audits;
  • use surveillance skills to collect, understand and utilise antimicrobial resistance data;
  • advocate for antibiotic resistance issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to policy makers and the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Strategy.

AMR is a critical risk, affecting Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at some of the highest reported rates in the country. The World Health Organisation declared AMR as one of the biggest health threats, with up to 10 million lives lost by 2050, extreme poverty for 24 million by 2030 and billions of dollars in health care costs and lost productivity for the global economy.

The Antimicrobial Academy provides a meaningful opportunity to transfer skills to health professionals working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, to create a cadre of antimicrobial stewards, advocates and spokespeople to partner with and continue to improve health care delivery, research platforms and advocacy.

For more information and to apply, go here.

Have your say on the draft new Aged Care Act

In person and online workshops are being held across Australia to discuss the draft new Aged Care Act, the first of additional workshops will be held in Brisbane on Friday March 1. Elder Care Support Teams are encouraged to attend and share feedback on the new Aged Care Act.

The Department of Health and Aged Care is pleased to advise that registrations are now live for the additional face-to-face workshops, in QLD, NSW, NT, and SA. It follows a series of workshops held across the country in January and February.

These workshops are open to anyone interested in Australia’s aged care system. This includes:

  • Older people, their families, and carers
  • Aged care providers and workers
  • Sector peaks, associations, and unions.

There is no cost to attend. For more information go here.

Image source: iStock.

New housing for West Arnhem Land Community

The NT government has announced a housing initiative in Gunbalanya community, in West Arnhem, with ten new homes built and “progress” being made on a new 24-lot subdivision. The community is approximately 300 km east of Darwin and 86.8% identity as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The NT Government said on Wednesday the residents of Gunbalanya had seen positive changes to the community, including upskilling and employment.

This means over 60 families in Gunbalanya are living healthier lives, combating overcrowding, stress, and associated disease. Gunbalanya residents will have the homes as they want, with colours, house designs, and orientations are all part of local decision making with the community.

Works are delivered under the $2.2 billion remote housing investment package jointly funded by the Northern Territory and Commonwealth Governments to provide more housing and employment across Northern Territory remote communities.

“Better homes mean better outcomes for health, psychological wellbeing, education and employment as well as improved living conditions and social status,” said Selena Uibo, Minister for Remote Housing and Homelands.

Read the full National Indigenous Times article here.

Image source: NT Government.

Yarning Circles to help shape the future of nursing workforce

The Department of Health and Aged Care are seeking input to help inform the development of the National Nursing Workforce Strategy. Yarning Circles have been co-designed between NACCHO and First Nations Co, to help shape the future of the Australian Nursing Workforce, through sharing views on issues facing the nursing workforce and opportunities for improvement.

The Yarning Circles, facilitated by Marni Tuala from First Nations Co, will be held virtually on Wednesday 28 February from 5.30-6.30pm AEDST, and Thursday 29 February from 2-3pm AEDST.

For more information go here.

Aged Care COVID-19 outbreak support

The Department of Health and Aged Care is hosting a webinar, Thursday March 7, on the latest information for aged care providers on managing outbreaks, including COVID-19. The webinar will cover the outbreak management supplement, grants closing dates and submitting applications, National Medical Stockpile changes, surge workforce arrangements, and COVID-19 vaccine reminders.

For more information visit the website here.

Image source: The Guardian.

New app to help mob navigate health expenses

Rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families are sleeping rough, borrowing money, and avoiding medical treatment to try and reduce or avoid huge out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Associate Professor, Courtnet Ryder says “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families are one of the most marginalised communities impacted by additional healthcare expenses which are not covered by Medicare or private insurance.

“Radical change from government initiatives and policies through to health professional awareness is needed to ensure equitable healthcare access which does not create additional financial hardship in communities already experiencing economic disadvantage,” she says.

Almost $1 million from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) will fund a new project, Targeting out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure through citizen science with Aboriginal communities, led by Associate Professor Courtney Ryder aiming to develop an app that can help with the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. The project aims to build and implement a social prescribing digital platform, or App, that will offer an expanding range of non-medical supports available in the community.

“Through the app we will be able to provide patients with targeted support to access healthcare such as fuel vouchers or affordable accommodation close to hospitals,” she says.

Aboriginal practitioners in Far West South Australia (Kokatha, Mirning and Wirangu country) living in Ceduna, Yalata and Oak Valley – where it is estimated that 1139 Aboriginal people live – will help co-develop the app.

To read the full Flinders University article, go here.

Image source: Getty Images.

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

21 February 2024

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

State funeral to farewell Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas announced yesterday, that Yankunytjatjara woman and Indigenous health leader, Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue will be honoured with a state funeral, at St Peter’s Cathedral, on Kaurna Country in North Adelaide, on Friday 8 March 2024. The trailblazer passed away on Sunday 4 February 2024, in Adelaide on Kaurna Country. Her immediate family was by her side at the time. She was 91. Premier Malinauskas said, “Through her lifelong work, Dr O’Donoghue has made an incredible contribution to the betterment of our country and people.[She] leaves a legacy of strong advocacy, passion and dedication.”

At the time of her passing, Minister for Indigenous Affairs Linda Burney acknowledged Dr O’Donoghue’s “leadership and tenacity”. She believed it to be an “inspiration for generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians” including herself. “She was a truly extraordinary leader. Lowitja was not just a giant for those of us who knew her, but a giant for our country,” she said. The leader will be remembered by her family as not only their “matriarch” but as a woman they have “loved and looked up” their entire lives.

“We adored and admired her when we were young and have grown up full of never-ending pride as she became one of the most respected and influential Aboriginal leaders this country has ever known,” said Dr O’Donoghue’s niece Deb Edwards. Ms Edwards said her Aunty dedicated her “lifetime of work to the rights, health, and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples”. “We thank her for being a formidable leader who was never afraid to listen, speak and act. Always with strength, determination, grace, and dignity,” she said. “There will only ever be, one, Lowitja O’Donoghue. She who always believed that ‘we shall overcome someday’.”

To view the SBS NITV article Aboriginal health trailblazer Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue to be farewelled at state funeral in full click here.

Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG 2010 Lowitja Institute launch Parliament House Canberra

Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG 2010 Lowitja Institute launch Parliament House Canberra. Photo: Lowitja Institute. Image source: SBS NITV.

Closing the Gap Day to be “most spectacular yet”

Closing the Gap (CTG) Day, held on Kaurna Country on Thursday 21 March at the Adelaide Showground, is a free community event that celebrates First Nations’ cultures and promotes equality. Organisers say that CTG Day has held a significant place in the hearts of the SA community for over a decade, drawing in up to 3,000 people and more than 100 exhibitors annually.

Presented by Sonder and Nunkuwarrin Yunti in partnership with Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, this year’s event “promises to be the most spectacular yet”. Sponsored by Indigenous Allied Health Australia, Aboriginal Family Support Services, Adelaide PHN and AGL, CTG Day offers “a unique opportunity” for community members to connect with product and service providers that can support their needs in aged care, education, employment, housing, healthcare and much more.

Nunkuwarrin Yunti’s acting CEO, Kerrianne Campbell Jones, said the organisation is proud to be partnering with Sonder for another CTG Day event. “This collaboration between Nunkuwarrin Yunti, an ACCHO and Sonder, a mainstream health service, reflects the meaning behind our organisation’s name, ‘working together – doing right together,” she said. Ms Campbell Jones said the partnership underscores “the shared commitment of both organisations to strengthening and enhancing access to comprehensive, culturally-safe services that meet the needs of the Aboriginal community”.

To view the National Indigenous Times article Kaurna Country Closing the Gap Day urges unity in the fight for equality in full here and for more information about Closing the Gap Day, click here.

Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna Elder, Uncle Moogy Sumner in possum skin clock, at 2023 CTG Day event

Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna Elder, Uncle Moogy Sumner, at last year’s event. Image source: National Indigenous Times.

After the Voice, what support can lawyers provide?

After the referendum, Melissa’s 10-year-old son, a proud Buluwai boy, asked her: “Why don’t they like us mum?” An innocent enquiry with a hard, jarring answer. ‘They’ are mostly unknown to us but could be anyone and are everywhere. ‘They’ made a 10-year-old First Nations child feel unaccepted.  While ‘they’ leave the referendum behind, unaware of the magnitude of the two letters on their ballot paper, we must all grapple with the consequences and the question ‘what next?’ That must include the legal profession.  

Legal Aid NSW’s Melissa Burgess and Dara Read say the failure of the referendum clearly impacted how First Nations Peoples have a voice, but not whether we have a voice. As this continent’s oldest story tellers, language holders and truth tellers we have had a voice for over 60,000 years. We will always have a voice. We will continue to use it.   Now, though, Australia needs to consider alternative mechanisms to listen, and to hear. This is not someone else’s business; this is everybody’s business. All of us in the profession from paralegals to the NSW Attorney General and every lawyer in between, can use their voices to elevate those of First Nations Peoples in NSW. Even in the absence of big constitutional reform to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, opportunities abound to make space for and listen to the voices of First Nations Peoples in NSW. 

We are not naïve about the barriers. The legal system remains a fundamentally colonial system. Meaningful reform requires us to be open to an alternative post-colonial reality. As Megan Davis wrote in her Quarterly Essay, Voice of Reason – On Recognition and Renewal: “Reform is only ever about imagination. We Aboriginal people must suspend our belief that the system cannot change. We must suspend our belief that the nation cannot change. Despite all that has happened to our people, we must dream of a better day.” As challenging as it is to continue to believe in true reform after the result, the alternative is unfathomable.

To view the LSJ article Opinion: After the Voice, what can lawyers do to support First Nations peoples? in full click here.

mural painted on wall in Newtown with words 'I have a dream' & Aboriginal flag

Mural painted on the side wall of a building ion King Street North, Newtown, Sydney. Designed and spray painted by Andrew Aitken, Juilee Pryor and other members of Unmitigated Audacity Productions in 1991. In its original form there was no Aboriginal flag on the bottom, but a group of people looking up at Martin Luther King. The flag was painted sometime later. Image source: LSJ.

Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner appointed

NACCHO was delighted to welcome the appointment on 12 December 2023 of well-respected First Nations leader Ms Andrea Kelly, as the Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner. Ms Kelly’s appointment is a first step in addressing Recommendation 49 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which recommended a statutory First Nations Aged Care Commissioner to ensure culturally safe, tailored and flexible aged care services for First Nations people.

As interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner, Ms Kelly will undertake a range of key functions, expected to include:

  • a mandate to lead extensive public consultations with First Nations stakeholders and communities about the design and functions of the permanent Commissioner
  • contributing to the changes necessary to bring improvements for First Nations people across all tiers of the aged care system
  • advocating for and promoting culturally safe, aged care for First Nations people across Australia.

An interim appointment expedites the needs of First Nations people to be heard and the opportunity to shape the functions of the permanent role, in line with Closing the Gap principles. Ms Kelly is a proud Warumungu and Larrakia woman, with strong family connections throughout the NT. Ms Kelly has 32 years of experience engaging with First Nations communities and developing public policy for First Nations populations.

You can view the Hon Anika Wells MP, Minister for Aged Care’s media release Andrea Kelly appointed as Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner in full click here.

Meanwhile, NACCHO is very pleased to announce the success of its first Elder Care Support Training program, which kicked off at the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council office in Meanjin (Brisbane) last week. You can find more information about the Elder Care Support Program on the NACCHO website here.

Children in child protection on the rise

The number of Indigenous children in the child protection system is growing. Updated figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing (AIHW) showed there were 72 Indigenous children per 1,000 who were on care and protection orders as of June 2022, up from 62 per 1,000 four years earlier. Nationally, 24,600 Indigenous children were on care and protection orders, with nearly one-third between the ages of 10 and 14. More than 19,000 were in out-of-home care, while just fewer than 14,000 had been in long-term care, where they have been in out-of-home care for two years or more.

The institute’s findings showed of the number in out-of-home care, there had been a rise in those staying with relatives or kin. Children being placed with relatives for out-of-home care rose from 50% in 2017 to 54% in 2022. For Indigenous children with at least one sibling in out-of-home care, 70% were placed with at least one of their brothers or sisters. The updated findings follow the latest Closing the Gap (CTG) report, which showed a worsening of outcomes for Indigenous children in child protection. A target of reducing the rate of Indigenous children in out-of-home care by 45% by 2031 has been set as part of CTG, but the latest report showed it was not on track to reach the measure.

PM Anthony Albanese used his CTG speech in February to announce a national commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. He said part of the commissioner’s focus would be on the rates of Indigenous children in out-of-home care.

To view The Telegraph article Indigenous children in child protection on the rise in full click here.

cloth squares painted by children pegged on outside lines

A legacy of historical injustices is that many Aboriginal parents do not seek or accept help readily. Image source: The University of Melbourne Pursuit webpage.

Health care critical in justice system

The criminal justice system is a polarising issue, with competing calls for more equitable, compassionate solutions and others demanding “tough on crime” responses regardless of the consequences. But one thing most can agree on is cost — and our current approach to incarceration comes at an eye-watering price. The Productivity Commission recently released the annual Report on Government Services, which examines government services’ equity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Of the $348b spent by Australian governments in 2022-23, more than $23b went to the criminal justice system, about $6b of which went to corrective services. This excludes the cost of new prisons we continue to build, often at a cost in excess of a billion dollars each. Over the same period, we spent about $1.3b on our troubled youth justice systems, 65% of which (about $855m) went to youth detention.

The average cost of incarcerating a child in Australia is an eye-watering $2,827 per day — or $1.03m per year. Given the high cost of incarceration, keeping people out of custody should be a priority, and one way we can help this is by changing our approach to health in the justice system. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “prison health is public health”.

To view The West Australian article Stuart Kinner: Health care critical in justice system to reduce custody rates in full click here. You can also listen to a related SBS News First Nations First podcast Doctors say prisoners are not being treated fairly by the health system here.

Professor Stuart Kinner is Head of the Justice Health Group, Curtin University

Professor Stuart Kinner is Head of the Justice Health Group, recently established at Curtin University. Image: The West Australian.

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

20 February 2024

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

2024 NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship now open

NACCHO is excited to announce the 3rd year of the NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship which provides subsidy and support for prospective or current Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pharmacy students.

The scholarship program aims to build the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacist workforce and to raise the profile of the beneficial role that pharmacy and pharmacists can play in supporting appropriate and culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Each recipient will receive up to $10,000 per annum to contribute to university expenses. The scholarship also offers support and mentorship from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals and organisations to ensure ongoing integration and connection with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health sector.

Proud Darumbal and Kanolu woman, Bryony Forrest is a previous recipient and says the scholarship has offered her the opportunity to strengthen her knowledge, receive mentoring, provide funding for her study expenses, and broaden her experience.  

“I always wanted to work in health, and pharmacy not only offers connection will people at a slower and deeper pace, but it also offers a connection with the community.” 

To learn more, visit the website here.

VACCHO launches recommendations to tackle diet-related chronic disease

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), in partnership with Deakin University’s Institute for Health Transformation launched the Food Policies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (FoodPATH) Community Report on Monday, setting out 10 recommendations towards a systems approach to food and nutrition policy action.

The report is the culmination of Community workshops in 2022 with VACCHO and five of their Member ACCHOs: Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative, Njernda Aboriginal Co-operative, Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative, Moogji Aboriginal Council, and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.

VACCHO said the workshops “aimed to empower Aboriginal communities in Victoria to determine the actions needed to promote healthier food environments”, and that each workshop saw participants develop a set of policy actions that enhance food environments and nutrition in their Communities.

The FoodPATH recommendations are divided into five Community actions and five Government actions to reflect this.

Community actions:

  • ACCHO-led self-determined Community nutrition programs.
  • Community gardens to grow and share food among Community members; these could be linked to food packages or cooking programs.
  • Workshops/Yarning circles with Elders to educate Community about traditional foods.
  • Community based parenting programs, incorporating nutrition and cooking healthy meals.
  • ACCO early years programs around healthy eating in pregnancy and early childhood nutrition.

Government actions:

  • Ban junk food marketing (in all its forms), including unhealthy sport sponsorship.
  • Madate nutrition and cooking education in schools.
  • Make the Health Star Rating food labelling system mandatory across all packaged food.
  • Set limits around the amount of sugar, salt and saturated fat allowed in packaged food.
  • Keep the GST off fresh food.

To read the full report go here and to read the National Indigenous Times article go here.

FoodPATH priority actions and key themes.

Have your say on medicine shortages in Australia

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is seeking public consultation about experiences and views on medicine shortages and discontinuations in Australia, covering topics such as impacts, barriers and opportunities when managing and communication medicine supply issues.

The NACCHO medicines team will be providing a detailed response. We also invite ACCHOs, individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and healthcare professionals that work in the sector to please provide feedback to the government about the impact of medication shortages. Particularly if you have any suggestions on how supply issues in Australia could possibly be improved.

Learn more here.

Eczema storybook to promote healthy skin for Indigenous children

A new book for kids aims at raising awareness about people suffering with the often-painful skin condition eczema. Kaal Tackles Eczema was developed by the Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin Project at Telethon Kids Institute after research identified nearly 20 per cent of Aboriginal children living in urban areas have eczema.

Clinical Professor Asha Bowen said the Healthy Skin research team at Telethon Kids Institute had previously done research in remote areas of WA, such as the Kimberley, but in fact most Aboriginal kids live in urban areas, so the latest study aimed at addressing that, with the book the direct result.

“Bunbury was chosen because the local community of Bunbury was very interested and engaged in the topic of skin health, and South West Aboriginal Medical Service was also very keen to be part of it,” Dr Bowen said.

“A wonderful group of Bunbury-based Aboriginal Elders and women joined the Community Advisory Group and have provided invaluable guidance for the project as well as become authors of this story book.”

Dermatologist Dr Bernadette Ricciardo, who worked on the project to develop the book, said research undertaken by the institute’s team highlighted the need for evidence-based health promotion materials to help families recognise and manage eczema.

Read the full article here.

Telethon Kids Institute has partnered with Aboriginal elders and the wider Aboriginal community in aid of eczema awareness in Indigenous kids and the creation of a children’s book to share the key messages. Credit: Claudette Rizzi.

New pilot program to help combat domestic and family violence

The Victorian government has announced a new pilot program with Aboriginal service Dardi Munwurro to tackle family and domestic violence at the source. The Changing Ways pilot program is designed to keep victim/survivors safe through intensive interventions and individual behaviour change work on the offender.

Dardi Munwurro, a Melbourne-based service that offers a range of family violence programs to break the cycle of inter-generational trauma in Aboriginal families and communities, is the third provider selected as part of the state’s two-year, $3.2 million trial.

Dardi Munwurro chief executive, Gunai man Alan Thorpe, said the program offered a culturally safe and innovative move to counter inter-generational violence.

“Changing ways will be a ground-breaking program providing a culturally appropriate response to work with the complexities of family violence within First Nations’ families and communities,” Mr Thorpe said.

Read the full National Indigenous Times article here.

Alan Thorpe helped establish Dardi Munwurro (Image: The Age/Justin McManus).

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

World Day of Social Justice – 20 February 2024

The World Day of Social Justice is observed every year on 20 February with the aim to spotlight and eliminate barriers related to gender, racial, ethnic, and religious discrimination. This day not only draws attention to global social injustices but also offers solutions and improvements. It emphasises the urgent need to address challenges such as poverty, employment, gender equality, and justice for all.

The term “social justice” has become integral to constitutions worldwide, encompassing social, economic, and political dimensions. In the context of the Preamble, justice is secured through Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles. Social justice advocates for equal treatment without social distinctions based on caste, colour, race, religion, or gender. Four principles guide social justice efforts: Equity, Access, Participation, and Human Rights.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) played a pivotal role by adopting the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalisation on 10 June 2008. This declaration, building on the Philadelphia Declaration of 1944 and the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of 1998, articulates the ILO’s contemporary vision amid globalisation. Recognising the importance of social justice, the General Assembly declared 20 February as the World Day of Social Justice starting from the 63rd session in 2007.

You can find more information about the World Day of Social Justice on the United Nations website here.

Image source: ETV Bharat.

19 February 2024

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

A new tack needed on CTG

The Productivity Commission’s new report into Closing the Gap (CTG), A review of the National Agreement on CTG, released on 7 February 2024, examines the action by governments in the first three years since they signed the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and confirms the approach currently used by governments isn’t working. The report’s recommendations have been followed by calls from representative bodies to shake up to the system, and remove what they say is ‘the government-knows-best’ approach.

NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations co-chair and NSW Aboriginal Land Council councillor Anne Dennis says listening to community would be a start, “Instead of continuing to fund non-government organisations and government service providers who often follow the same old approach, governments must listen to the valuable resource of ACCOs who are making great progress on the ground in NSW. In order to enable progress, the change envisioned in the National Agreement, we must transform government systems and processes.”

CEO of Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) Phil Naden, says it’s imperative for government to consult with the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector. “CAHS as well as the other 49 ACCOs in NSW have extensive experience in Aboriginal health and we all work at the coalface of treating and engaging with our people on a daily basis, and working with government and community in Closing the Gap,” he said. “The key recommendation is supported by CAHS and we look forward to Government leading this recommendation for communities across the West and Far West regions of NSW.”

To view the Western Plains App article A new tack needed on Closing the Gap in full click here.

CEO of Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service, Phil Naden

CEO of Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service, Phil Naden says Aboriginal community controlled organisations are key to truly closing the gap. Image source: Western Plains App.

NSW signs state-based CTG partnership agreement

NSW has become the latest jurisdiction to sign a state-based Closing the Gap (CTG) partnership agreement to help improve Aboriginal health, education and social outcomes. The agreement has been signed by the NSW Premier Chris Minns, the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (NSW CAPO) and Local Government NSW.

The partnership represents the next step following the CTG national agreement signed in 2020. That deal was signed by then-PM Scott Morrison, then-premier Gladys Berejiklian, state and territory first ministers, the Australian Local Government Association and the Coalition of Peaks, representing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled service sector.

The 2020 national agreement shared responsibility and decision-making with representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, following years of traditional Government-led approaches not achieving the right results. The NSW Partnership Agreement addresses the first reform priority in the CTG national agreement – the establishment of formal partnerships and shared decision-making. The Productivity Commission’s CTG review, released earlier this month, observes that progress on this commitment has largely been weak and has reflected a business-as-usual approach.

To view the Australian Financial News article New Partnership agreement to close the gap in NSW in full click here. You can also watch a short video below by the Coalition of Peaks explaining the Priority Reforms in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap below.

ANU smoking study debunks stereotypes

If you were asked to picture a typical smoker, you might not image someone employed, educated or who has good mental health. Research — considered world-first — from the Australian National University (ANU) has debunked common misconceptions about smokers. While smoking rates were higher among people who were less educated and were unemployed, the research found most daily smokers held jobs, were educated and in good mental health.

Researchers used Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data and a nationally representative sample of 16,000 people to study the country’s smoking population. They found of the 2.5m people who smoke daily in Australia, 60% were male, 65% live in major cities and 92% did not identify as Indigenous. Furthermore, 69%t of smokers had completed year 12, while 69% of those of working age were in paid employment. And 73% had good mental health. The research also found that 54% of smokers lived in the bottom two socio-economic quintiles.

Epidemiologist Professor Emily Banks, who was the senior author on the study, said the lack of understanding meant the majority of smokers didn’t see themselves reflected in current anti-smoking campaigns, “We know from other studies that certain groups in the population are over-represented among smokers. We know that people who smoke are more likely to be unemployed than people who don’t smoke, they’re more likely to be homeless and they’re more likely to be less educated. We also know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to smoke than non-Aboriginal people.”

However, Professor Banks said it was important to distinguish between people being over-represented in the smoking population and what that general population looked like. “The majority of smokers are really very like the general population of Australia,” she said.

To view the ABC News article Australian National University smoking study debunks stereotypes, finds most daily smokers are employed, educated in full click here.

ANU Professor Emily Banks at her desk

Professor Emily Banks says the majority of smokers in Australia are “like the general population”. Photo: ANU. Image source: ABC News

PCOS vs endometriosis: what’s the difference?

With women becoming more open about their health struggles across social media, you’ve most likely heard one or both of the terms polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis (endo) – or even know someone who struggles with one of these conditions. But while PCOS and endo are the two reproductive conditions that get the most attention (even though incredibly tough to diagnose), it can be easy to confuse the two if you don’t know enough about them.

While both PCOS and endo have some characteristics and symptoms in common, they’re not the same. PCOS is a hormonal disorder, affecting 8–13% of reproductive age women, with around 21% of Indigenous women affected, according to The Medical Journal of Australia. Endometriosis is slightly more common, impacting 1 in 7 (14%) of women, girls and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) by the age of 44 to 49, according to Endometriosis Australia.

Both conditions are notoriously tough to diagnose, given that their symptoms could be caused by a range of different issues. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible for a doctor to make the right diagnosis — it just can take a little more time and detective work than with some other conditions.

The Women’s Health article PCOS vs Endometriosis: What’s The Difference? available here, goes on to provide information about:

  • what PCOS is and its most common symptoms
  • what endometriosis is and its most common symptoms
  • what the key differences between the two conditions are
  • how a person knows if they have PCOS or endo
  • whether a person can have both PCOS and endo
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome cells graphic

Image source: iStock Polycystic Ovary Syndrome image.

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

Key Date – febfast – February 2024

Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS) was launched 26 years ago, to support young people struggling with alcohol and drugs – and help them get their lives back on track. Since then, YSAS has grown to become one of the largest youth-specific community service organisations in Australia. Every year, YSAS is there for more than 8,000 young people, helping them overcome addiction, find safe housing, get back into education or employment, and improve their mental health.

Every year YSAS run a febfast campaign to help raise funds for YSAS’ practical support and evidence-based clinical services. febfast participants give up a vice of their choice for the whole month of February, feel the health benefits and raise funds for YSAS’ drug and alcohol programs. The money raised helps fund treatment services, outreach and rehabilitation programs so more young people can overcome addiction, as well as supported housing, education and training. By providing that support to young people, YSAS helps treat serious issues before they escalate – and become lifelong problems.

You can find more information about FebFast on the FebFast website here and learn more about YSAS outreach in the video below.

16 February 2024

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

KAMS says liquor restrictions alone are not the answer

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS) Board, representing Aboriginal community-controlled health services across the Kimberley region of WA, has released a media statement saying they stand against the push for more liquor restrictions without simultaneous investment in comprehensive alcohol and other drugs (AOD) services, planning and infrastructure. The media statement continues:

Every day, we see the harmful effects caused by alcohol misuse on Kimberley people, families, and communities and acknowledge proposals for further restrictions in Broome and Derby, and changes implemented through the Liquor Control Amendment (Banned Drinkers Register (BDR)) Bill 2023. We recognise the devastating impact of alcohol but believe that simply increasing restrictions is not the answer. We do not oppose restrictions, but emphasise the need for a holistic approach, combining health, social, and diversionary strategies to support community-led responses to alcohol related harm within the region

Reform requires collaboration between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, governments, and communities. Instead of more restrictions, governments must invest in our sector, specialist Aboriginal AOD services like Milliya Rumurra Aboriginal Corporation, and other Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to enhance AOD services and develop comprehensive, effective approaches to alcohol problems, including alternatives to criminalisation.

Without adequate support, increased restrictions could unintentionally harm individuals and communities, potentially leading to punitive outcomes rather than health improvements. The lack of a regional plan for alcohol and drug misuse, combined with insufficient resources for tackling related issues like family and domestic violence, demands urgent government action. Furthermore, the sensationalist portrayal of alcohol use in the region by the media contributes to a negative and harmful stereotype of this being “an Aboriginal issue”, underlining the need for an informed and respectful public discourse.

To view the KAMS media statement Call to Action: Liquor restrictions alone are not the answer. Governments must invest in regional health planning, services, capital infrastructure and workforce in full click here.

No Grog in Kalumburu sign

Photo: ABC. Image source: National Indigenous Times article: Alcohol restrictions alone will not work, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services board warns, published on 15 February 2024.

Perth mobile GP clinic ready to roll

Perth’s newest mobile GP clinic has hit the road — taking doctors and health care to the suburbs. The State Government-funded 360 Street Doctor service provides an accessible, non-judgmental health service for people experiencing homelessness, who are transient or facing disadvantage. First established in 2001 by a local GP who identified a need for primary health care for people living rough, 360 Street Doctor sees thousands of people every year, providing all the services of a conventional general practice – but on wheels. 

The 360 Street Doctor provides more than 3,400 consultations annually, treating people across the Perth metropolitan area. This innovative service takes the clinic to clients at familiar locations on a regular timetable, often treating people who may be unwilling or unable to access more traditional health services. The mobile clinics are staffed by GPs, registered nurses, outreach workers, Aboriginal health practitioners, and a pharmacist. 

They travel to selected Perth metropolitan locations based on areas of need and availability of nearby support services – co-locating with services such as drug and alcohol assistance, and mental health support so clients can easily access this help at the same time.  With a price tag of $242,000, the truck has had a complete medical fit-out with new diagnostic equipment, an energy efficient dual power management system, and the very latest technology -including options to access telehealth services. 

To view the Medical Forum article Mobile GP clinic ready to roll in full click here.

360 Street Doctor mobile GP clinic van

360 Street Doctor mobile GP clinic van. Image source: Medical Forum.

$84m for early learning centres in vulnerable communities

Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five campaign has welcomed the Federal Government’s $84m investment to support early childhood education and care services operating in vulnerable communities. The investment will enable early learning centres in disadvantaged communities, particularly across regional and rural Australia, to apply for grants of up to $400,000.

Thrive by Five’s Jay Weatherill said the funding would help families and children from vulnerable communities access the benefits of high-quality early learning. “This investment will improve early learning access for the families that will benefit from it the most,” Mr Weatherill said. “We know that access to high-quality early learning can help set children up for lifelong success and it can provide essential support to primary carers wanting to re-enter the workforce. “However, in many communities across Australia are childcare deserts, especially in rural and remote parts of the country and lower socio-economic suburbs where there are simply not enough childcare places.”

“This investment from the Federal Government will help address this by incentivising providers to offer places in vulnerable communities and to keep them open. “While this is a positive step forward, government financial incentives alone will not fix the early learning crisis in rural and disadvantaged parts of the country” Mr Weatherill said.

To view the Mindaroo Foundation’s media release Thrive by Five welcomes funding for early learning services in vulnerable communities in full click here.

two under 5 ATSI kids in playground

Image source: Minderoo Foundation Thrive by Five website.

Councils welcome $707m new remote jobs program to CTG

The Federal Government’s new Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program (RJED) has been welcomed by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).
The new $707m employment program is expected to create around 3,000 jobs in remote Australia in partnership with First Nations communities, with the goal of closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

ALGA President Cr Linda Scott said local governments – many of which are facing widespread skills shortages – will be interested to partner with the Government on the RJED. “In regional and remote communities, local government is often the biggest employer, and our 2022 Local Government Workforce Skills and Capability Survey shows councils are the largest employer of First Nations people in the NT, with around half of the workforce being Indigenous Australians,” Cr Scott said.
“As a major employer of First Nations people, we believe councils should be an eligible employer through this program, and we look forward to working with the Government to ensure it delivers on its promise.”

Cr Scott said as the closest government to our communities, councils have a key role to play in reducing Indigenous disadvantage. “Councils are committed to co-designing programs with all levels of government – and all partners – to increase education and employment opportunities and reduce the barriers experienced by many First Nations people,” Cr Scott said.

To view the ALGA media release Councils welcome new remote jobs program to Close the Gap in full click here.

remote ATSI desert community

Image source: Council article, First Nations employment program to create 3,000 jobs, published on 14 February 2024.

$31m to support medical research and innovation

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has released details of grants of financial assistance to support medical research and medical innovation projects that:

  • Stream 1 (Targeted Call for Research): design, implement and/or evaluate the effectiveness of integrated and multidisciplinary delivery of maternal and child health services in the first 2000 days of life (pregnancy to age 5) for equitable health and development.
  • Stream 2 (Targeted Call for Research): pilot approaches for improving health outcomes by promoting adoption of healthy lifestyles in adolescents and young adults.
  • Stream 3 (Incubator): conduct small-scale developmental projects to create screening or prevention approaches to reduce the risk of developing cardiometabolic disease post-birth, after a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and/or gestational diabetes.
  • Stream 4 (Targeted Call for Research): develop, implement and/or evaluate new co-designed and scalable lifestyle interventions to reduce the risk of chronic conditions in adults from Priority Populations.

The intended outcome of the research funded by this grant opportunity is to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians by:

  • Stream 1: improving healthy development in the first 2000 days of life
  • Stream 2: improving health outcomes in adolescents and young adults by supporting healthy lifestyles
  • Stream 3: reducing the incidence of cardiometabolic diseases after pregnancy
  • Stream 4: reducing the incidence of chronic conditions by improving modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors in Priority Populations.

Applications to this grant opportunity, which is is being administered by NHMRC on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (DHAC), must propose research that addresses one of the four Streams of research.

You can find more information about this grant opportunity on the Australian Government GrantConnect webpage here.

Further information on the Medical Research Future Fund is available on the DHAC website here.

Applications close 5.00 pm Wednesday 7 August 2024.

Questions should be submitted no later than 1:00pm (ACT Local Time) on 31 July 2024.

tile with text 'Australian Government Medical Research Council NHMRC'

Image source: The University of Western Australia website.

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

REDFEB – February 2024

Heart disease is still Australia’s leading cause of death affecting families and communities around the country.

In March 2020, a consensus statement, available here, was published on Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults under the age of 35.  CVD is the umbrella term for all diseases affecting the heart or blood vessels. The Victor Change Cardiac Research Institute’s Heart Disease webpage, available here, explains that although often used interchangeably with heart disease it is not the same thing. While all heart diseases are also classed as cardiovascular dieseas, not all CVDs are heart conditions.

Amongst the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, CVD accounts for a quarter of all deaths and it is the largest contributor to preventable morbidity and mortality. Research shows that 75% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults under 35 years of age have one or more risk factors for CVD.  Compared to non-Indigenous adults, emerging evidence shows that high absolute CVD risk starts earlier in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. On average, CVD events such as heart attacks, strokes and CVD-related mortality occur 10 - 20 years earlier in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population than in the non-Indigenous Australian population.

Heart disease can be prevented by living a healthy life  and with help from your doctor, nurse or a health worker.  It’s never too early or late to manage your risk of heart disease and improve your heart health. Preventing heart disease starts with knowing your risk factors and making changes to live a healthier life.  You can also find information about the risk factors for heart disease for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the Heart Foundation’s website here.

REDFEB is an initiative of Heart Research Australia dedicated to raising awareness for heart health and raising much-needed funds for research.

You can find more information about REDFEB on the Heart Research Australia website here.