Category Aboriginal children

14 December 2023

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.

New data reveals positive trends for mums and bubs

There has been a notable increase in the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers attending an antenatal visit in the first trimester of pregnancy, from 50% in 2012 to 72% in 2021, according to the AIHW Australia’s mothers and babies report. The report also found a decrease in the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers who reported smoking in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, from 50% in 2011 to 40% in 2021. The proportion of First Nations mothers who report smoking at any time during pregnancy has also fallen (from 50% in 2011 to 42% in 2021), and of those who smoked, the rate of smoking cessation during pregnancy was around 1 in 8. This is based on First Nations mothers who reported smoking in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy and not smoking after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Most babies of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers were born at term (born from 37 to 41 weeks). In 2021, 87% of babies of First Nations mothers had a normal birthweight (birthweight between 2,500 and 4,499 grams). Increasing the proportion of First Nations babies with a healthy birthweight to 91% by 2031, is one of the targets in the National Agreement.

You can read the full AIHW Australia’s mothers and babies report here.

Good News Story: SWAMS recognised for providing ‘person-centered care’

A pilot program to help meet the health needs of children in Out of Home Care has received accolades in WA. South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) won the Person-Centred Care category of the WA Health Excellence Awards 2023 alongside partners, including the Department of Communities, the Department of Health, the Child and Adolescent Health Service and the Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS).

The aim of the pilot is to test new ways of working to improve collaboration and coordination between services as well as improving the health of children aged up until 18 who are in the Out of Home Care system.

SWAMS Health Navigator Hannah Humphries said she was pleased received the award on behalf of SWAMS at a gala dinner held at Crown Perth on 7th December. The awards celebrate excellence and innovation in service delivery across the WA health system.

Pictured: Kelly Lineham and Kellee Biffin from WACHS, Tracey Simpson-Jones from the Child and Adolescent Health Service, Hannah Humphries from SWAMS, and Danielle Gilsenan and Sharma Hamilton from the Child and Adolescent Health Service. Image source: SWAMS Facebook.

DNA discovery opens door to personalised medicine for Indigenous Australians

The most comprehensive analysis of Indigenous Australians’ genomes collected to date has revealed an “abundance” of DNA variations – some of which have never been reported anywhere else in the world – paving the way for new, personalised treatments that address health inequities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A team of Australian researchers, led by scientists from The Australian National University (ANU), found DNA differences between Indigenous Australians living in the Tiwi Islands and Indigenous peoples living in the Australian desert is equivalent to comparing the genetic information of someone from Bangladesh to the United Kingdom. The researchers detected hundreds of thousands of ‘structural gene variants’ that affect large segments of DNA. These variants occur naturally in different individuals of a population, make up most of the genetic differences between individuals, and may be linked to genetic disease in some families.

“The DNA sequencing shows for the first time this level of DNA variation observed anywhere else in the world outside of Africa, reflecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ deep cultural and linguistic diversity and long-standing connection to the Australian continent,” Dr Hardip Patel, from ANU, said.

“Some of the DNA variations we discovered appear to be exclusively found in Indigenous Australians, while others appear to be found only in one out of the four Indigenous communities that we consulted and worked with.

“Previously we’ve had to try to utilise the DNA of non-Indigenous populations to help diagnose and treat disease among Indigenous Australians, which has proven difficult and is often less reliable. But now we have a new, more accurate and personalised genomic dataset to build off.”

Read the full media release from the Australian National University here.

Dr Hardip Patel is the Bioinformatics Lead at the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics (NCIG) at the Australian National University (image: Jamie Kidston/ANU).

SoundSmiles app to boost ear health and wellbeing of young people in remote WA

An app designed to enhance the hearing and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in a fun and enjoyable way has received an almost $1.5 million funding boost from WA’s Future Health Research and Innovation Fund. The SoundSmiles app, developed by Monash University researchers in collaboration with Curtin University and Ear Science Institute Australia aims to provide a streamlined, digitalised platform for children and teachers so they are better informed about children’s hearing health and mental health. Researchers and clinicians co-designed the culturally sensitive SoundSmiles app alongside WA ACCHOs, Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service and South West Aboriginal Medical Service.

Professor Christopher Lawrence, SoundSmiles app project lead and health technology researcher and Associate Dean (Indigenous) from Monash University’s Faculty of Information Technology, said Aboriginal children experience ear disease and hearing loss at rates at least ten times higher than non-Aboriginal children.

“The impacts of ear disease can drastically change the trajectory of a child’s life. Young people who have hearing loss are more likely to experience social and emotional problems,” Professor Lawrence, a proud Wadjak/Ballardong Noongar man said.

Through the app, primary school-aged children can be guided by their teachers to answer daily questions about their hearing and mental health, with the app providing information and engaging activities for students in relation to their ears and wellbeing. Along with building young peoples’ independence with health-promoting behaviours, the app intends to increase their digital literacy skills.

Read the full National Indigenous Times article here.

Image source: Ear Science Institute Australia.

When physical activity programs include cultural elements, they are even better

Recent data shows 24% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have been diagnosed with mental health or behavioural conditions. This is likely due to lasting and intergenerational effects of historical injustices, racial discrimination, and cultural displacement. UNSW research suggests physical activity programs can improve social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These programs enhance confidence and self-esteem, improve community cohesiveness and cultural identity, and deepen connection to Country. Cultural physical activity (hunting, gathering, customary activities and connecting with Country) has been a part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s lifestyles for tens of thousands of years. These practices still hold cultural relevance today.

Going on Country has benefits for physical, social, emotional and cultural wellbeing. These include a healthier diet, more frequent exercise, sharing of culture, more family time, and spiritual connection. The UNSW research found that programs that do not centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community involvement and connection are unlikely to be well received or effective. These programs often have barriers to participation such as lack of transport, high program costs, or may clash with family and community commitments.

An example of a culturally safe physical activity program is Dead or Deadly. In the program, women participate in group exercise, health education and camps where they improve fitness, reduce smoking, reduce chronic disease indicators, reduce psychological distress, and increase resilience.

Read more here.

Image source: Waminda.

Calls for long Covid multidisciplinary clinics

Funding for more multidisciplinary clinics with virtual access and living guidelines is needed to help deal with the growing burden of long COVID, according to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). The organisation has also raised concerns about the closure of long COVID clinics, saying more government funding is required in spite of a detailed public inquiry held by the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport, which reported in April this year. This week, the ABC reported that five of 23 long COVID clinics in Australia has either been scaled back or closed. The RACP said more multidisciplinary clinics with virtual access, including to patients in rural areas and those managed in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services, are needed.

RACGP is always advocating for referral pathways to improve the way rehabilitation and respiratory doctors work together, and the development of evidence-based living guidelines for GPs and other health professionals. Dr Kate Graham, a GP in rural western Victoria who co-wrote the first national long COVID HealthPathway, said there is strong evidence multidisciplinary care works in the treatment of the condition, which is known for its many, varied symptoms – but said there are significant challenges.

‘While general practice is capable of coordinating and managing complexity in chronic conditions such as long COVID, it is extremely difficult to achieve this in the current chronic-disease-management, referral, waitlist and funding environment, especially for long COVID patients with limited financial resources,’ Dr Graham told newsGP.

‘It would be good to see future health funding recognise the individual and economic impact of long COVID and proactively fund multidisciplinary models of care that have evidence of benefit, as the closure of clinics was challenging for those in areas where they were accessible.

‘Even when they were open, the wait times and limited options meant that they were not able to meet the needs of the long COVID population.’

Read more here.

Image source: Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia.

Sector Jobs

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.

7 December 2023

The image in the feature tile is from ABC News.

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.

Important steps to preserving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages

The Albanese Government is investing more than $14 million to support primary schools to teach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in classrooms across Australia. Expressions of interest are now open for the First Nations Languages Education Program which aims to teach and strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. The Program has been developed in partnership with First Languages Australia (FLA), the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. The initiative recognises that each community will have different aspirations and needs for teaching and sustaining First Nations languages. As well as funding a local language plan, it will also support up to 60 First Nations Language educators in primary schools across Australia.

The Program aims to progress Target 16 of Closing the Gap, to support a sustained increase in the number and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages being spoken. Communities that register their interest will first work with FLA to develop a local language plan.

“It’s important to know that Indigenous languages, from the oldest continuing cultures on earth, will be taught in classrooms around the country,” Said Malarndirri McCarthy, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians.

“All students, Indigenous and non-Indigenous will benefit from this program that will ensure First Nations languages thrive into the future.”

Expressions of interest are open until 28 February 2024.

Learn more here.

Image source: ABC News Keane Bourke.

Joint Council strengthens their resolve to implement the National Agreement on Closing the Gap

The Joint Council on Closing the Gap met for the first time since the referendum held on 14 October 2023 on the principle of recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution through a Voice. Joint Council reflected on the importance of the full implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap in the wake of the referendum.

“We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people overwhelmingly voted for a Voice. We voted for change and to improve our life outcomes,” said Mr Scott Wilson, Acting Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks.

“The Coalition of Peaks, through their work with government and as individual organisations, remain resolute in our commitment and dedication to bring about the change our communities voted for.”

Joint Council heard updates on the progress of Policy Partnerships in Early Childhood Care and Development, Housing and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages and the need to accelerate the work together to deliver tangible changes on the ground in these areas. Members also discussed progress on the commitment by all government under Priority Reform Three to establish or identify an Independent Mechanism to monitor government funded mainstream agencies, organisations and institutions. In the meeting, the Coalition of Peaks raised the importance of the mainstream funding intergovernmental agreements that relate to closing the gap and making sure they make a bigger contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Read more here.

Image source: Coalition of Peaks.

Tasmania raises age of criminal responsibility to 14

Indigenous groups, legal experts and advocates have commended a commitment by the Tasmanian government to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14. They have however noted it falls short of their calls for the raising to be immediate, with the Tasmanian government pledging to implement the reforms by 2029. On Tuesday, the Tasmanian government released their Youth Justice Blueprint 2023/24, committing to raising the age to 14 – without exceptions – as well as raising the minimum age of detention to 16.

Change the Record’s Maggie Munn congratulated the Tasmanian government on the decision, urging them to work with people who are involved at the coal face of youth and Indigenous welfare.

“I implore the Rockliff government to work with experts and communities on the ground to pass legislation as soon as feasibly possible,” they said.

“It is crucial that this legislation meets its intent: to divert children away from the criminal legal system and to give them all the support they need to have a safe and healthy childhood, where they have every opportunity to thrive.”

Read the full article here.

Maggie Munn. Image source: The Australian.

Staying Moving Staying Strong

Culturally suitable resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living with a variety of health conditions have been released by Arthritis Australia. The newly released materials, developed through the Staying Moving Staying Strong (SMSS) project, have been designed to assist Indigenous peoples who suffer from chronic health conditions including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and gout. Arthritis Australia says Australia’s Indigenous population faces significant challenges in accessing healthcare services, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities experiencing elevated rates of conditions including arthritis and autoimmune disorders. They say the prevalence of arthritis among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples stands at 17%, compared to 13% among non-Indigenous Australians.

Brooke Conley, proud Ngiyampaa woman and physiotherapist said participating in the SMSS project was extremely rewarding.

“I hope to see the resources benefiting Aboriginal people by empowering individuals with knowledge and fostering self-management,” Ms Conley said.

Marion, a SMSS participant who lives with osteoarthritis used to think that the condition only affected the elderly. When she experienced knee pain and difficulty keeping up with loved ones, she looked for answers, discovering that osteoarthritis can impact individuals of all ages.

“Look after yourself…(be) aware of prevention type stuff, eating the right food, doing the right exercise, even down to buying the right shoes,” she said.

“…What things can you take that are medicated but also natural stuff as well. We as Aboriginal people have our bush medicine, our emu oils and plant-based oils that help keep that pain away.”

Learn more about Staying Moving Staying Strong here and read the full National Indigenous Times article here.

Staying Moving Staying Strong osteoarthritis resource booklet.

Illawarra Koori Men’s Support Group creating culturally safe spaces to connect for two decades

Illawarra Koori Men’s Support Group began in 2003 with the simple goal of being a place for people to open up and start a conversation. It started with between 30 and 40 members in Kenny Street, Wollongong. Now, the men’s group is the foundation of Gawura Aboriginal Corporation, which also includes a women’s support group and other programs such as Brothers Against Domestic Violence, behavioural change program changeV, Illawarra Aboriginal Men’s Physical health and Training (IAMPHAT) and Koori Youth Aboriginal Kultcha Konnection (KYAKK).

“The reason I want to keep this group going is because when you look around and read the papers there’s that many Aboriginal fellas that are committing suicide, they’ve got no one they can talk to and we need to try and stop that,” Uncle Gee, Illawarra Koori Men’s Support Group founder said.

Connecting with Aboriginal youth is crucial for the group to ensure their sense of belonging and exposure to positive cultural influences.

“Many of them don’t have fathers in the house, or they have fathers and don’t seem them for three or four years at a time, so we really need to help them out,” Uncle Gee said.

“They’re looking for a father figure, someone they can talk to and help them back on track.”

Read the full article here.

The Illawarra Koori Men’s Support Group. Image source: Region Illawarra.

Safer summer initiatives for at-risk youth

Central Australia is gearing up for a safer summer with new programs aimed at ensuring the well-being and engagement of young people. In Alice Springs, a culturally-led diversion program is set to roll out, catering to around 50 at-risk Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in the upcoming months. These efforts are part of the ongoing implementation of the $250 million plan, which federal authorities say will ensure a better and safer future for Central Australia. Oonchiumpa will provide customised, culturally-led activities and interventions, including therapeutic camps and day trips for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people identified as particularly at-risk.

The camps, held on-Country, will bring together Elders, young people, and their families in various locations across Alice Springs, aiming to address challenges and forge new pathways for the well-being of young people, supported by the community. These efforts are aimed at helping family and kinship bonds, while linking young people to essential services encompassing health, wellbeing, and family support. Activities will include Arrernte Boxing, sports programs, movie nights, water activities, art and music sessions, games, bush trips, and cultural camps. In remote regions, the Central Desert Regional Council, MacDonnell Regional Council, Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation, and NPY Women’s Council will coordinate activities, including the Hoops 4 Health regional basketball competition in Mutitjulu.

Read the full National Indigenous Times article here.

Image source: Hoops 4 Health.

Sector Jobs

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.

6 December 2023

feature tile: comedian Steven Oliver tuxedo sprawled on chair, grand piano in backdrop, red confetti; text: 'Comedian Steven Oliver to host NACCHO’S HIV Awareness Week Trivia 2023 TOMORROW!!'

The image in the feature tile is of comedian Steven Oliver – Bigger & Blacker: Steven Oliver, My Life in Cabaret, SBS OnDemand September 2021. Photo: Dylan Evan Photography.

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.

Steven Oliver: HIV Awareness Week Trivia host!

NACCHO HIV Awareness Week 2023 Trivia tile

NACCHO is beyond excited to announce the 2023 HIV Awareness Week Trivia host is the hilarious and wonderful STEVEN OLIVER! 🤩

Don’t miss out TOMORROW Thursday 7 December!!!! Join us for a hilarious time, and you might learn a thing or two… You can register here.

This outrageously fun event is open to individuals and teams, with generous PRIZES on offer for the winners.

Costumes and props are HIGHLY encouraged (just wait till you see what we are wearing). There will be prizes for best dressed and ‘innovative props.’ BE CREATIVE!

Get in early, as registrations are limited – ACCHOs will be given priority to join.

We can’t wait 🎉🍆

For all questions and queries please contact the Communicable Diseases team at NACCHO by email here.

You can find more information about HIV Awareness Week on the NACCHO website here.

Navigating the path the health justice

A year ago, at the Law Society’s Annual Members’ Dinner and Awards Night, Anthony Levin was elated to be the recipient of the John Hennessy Legal Scholarship. This award is made to a public sector solicitor interested in undertaking a research project on legal systems in another jurisdiction. “I’ve been working on prison health issues for about 10 years,” says Levin, who is Manager and Senior Solicitor in Legal Aid NSW’s Human Rights team.

He was researching on how the unmet health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people contribute to the cycle of incarceration, and how effective, culturally safe continuity of care could address health inequalities – for the benefit of both prisoners and the public.

Levin’s research led him to discover a new initiative in Prince George, British Columbia (BC), Canada. This is a patient navigator system for Indigenous prisoners, Levin explains, where each Indigenous patient navigator (IPN) “has the job of helping Indigenous people navigate the health system inside and also potentially on their return to the community outside, depending on the location of the navigator and the jail that they’re working in.

“So in some locations and prisons, the IPNs work almost exclusively with people inside, spending time with them to build rapport during cultural activities and culturally safe spaces that were purpose built in the prison. It struck me this could be useful for our justice system,” Levin adds. “I think there are certain universal principles that can be applied to addressing health inequalities.”

To read the Law Society Journal article Nudges, not earthquakes: Navigating the path to health justice in full click here.

Anthony Levin with Erin Patterson and Jennifer Isaac

Anthony Levin with two of the people he consulted in BC, Erin Patterson and Jennifer Isaac. Both work with Gladue reports – reports that give the court a complete picture of an Aboriginal person facing a bail or sentencing hearing. Image source: Law Society Journal.

Boosting sexual health engagement in rural areas

Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural and remote regions are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhoea and infectious syphilis than their non-Indigenous peers – but an innovative health information project is looking to change these statistics.

The Walkabout Barber Bus is a built for purpose barber shop on wheels. Recently, it travelled to Kempsey, a regional town on the traditional lands of the Dunghutti people, 423km north of Sydney, to provide free haircuts to young Aboriginal men in the area, and to open a judgement-free space for them to talk and learn about mental and sexual health.

Robert Monaghan, Manager of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research at the Kirby Institute, says awareness and engagement, particularly among young men, are crucial to drive down sexually transmissible infections (STIs). “We need to find new ways to engage young men, because what’s been done isn’t working,” says Mr Monaghan. “That’s where the Walkabout Barber comes in. We wanted to pilot an integration of sexual health information into the Walkabout Barber services. In this way, we can normalise conversations about sexual health.”

To read the University of NSW article ‘It’s about the conversation’: improving engagement in sexual health services in rural Aboriginal communities in full click here.

Rotavirus study aims to reduce child hospitalisation

Researchers in the NT are conducting a study to determine if an additional vaccination would better protect Indigenous infants from rotavirus. A highly infectious gastrointestinal disease which causes vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration, rotavirus is the leading cause of paediatric diarrhoea deaths worldwide.

Since the global introduction of oral rotavirus vaccines in 2006, early childhood deaths due to the virus have dropped significantly having almost eliminated severe rotavirus disease for most Australian children. However according to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) Foundation, hospitalisations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in rural and remote northern Australia remain more than 20 times higher than for non-Indigenous children in southern states and territories.

The research project into whether Indigenous children six to 12 months old should receive a third booster dose of rotavirus vaccine is being headed by paediatrician and Royal Australasian College of Physicians Fellowship award recipient, Dr Bianca Middleton, who says clinicians are urgently seeking new ways to better protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from diarrhoea illness. “Right now, the rotavirus vaccine is not fully protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children against severe rotavirus disease, and we still see young children being admitted to hospital with rotavirus infection,” Dr Middleton said.

To view the National Indigenous Times article World first rotavirus study aims to reduce hospitalisation rates of Indigenous children in full click here.

ATSI child with Menzies School of Medical Research researcher

Indigenous infants in the NT have been participating in the study since 2018. Image source: National Indigenous Times.

What’s needed to fix NDIS for mob

The federal government is this week expected to release the long-awaited National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) review, laying out a suite of recommendations to improve the system and participant experience as the scheme buckles under surging costs.

Among those hoping for change are many in First Nations communities, where disability is more prevalent and complex, but the system is harder for some to access.

In an interview on ABC Rational National Breakfast yesterday, Scott Avery, Worimi man and Professor of Indigenous Health at the University of Technology Sydney spoke about what’s needed to fix the NDIS for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability.

You can listen to the ABC Rational National Breakfast interview What’s needed to fix the NDIS for First Nations people? in full here.

Policy and Research Director at First Peoples Disability Network, Scott Avery in ABC RN studio

Policy and Research Director at First Peoples Disability Network, Scott Avery. Image source: ABC Radio National.

Seatbelts saving lives in remote WA

This December saw the launch of an important campaign to encourage Aboriginal people living in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields to ‘buckle up’. The radio campaign, voiced in Kimberley Kriol, Martu, Ngaanyatjarra, Plain English and Yindjibarndi will run on popular local radio stations. The sad truth is that Aboriginal people are more likely to die or suffer serious injury because of vehicle crashes compared to other Australians.

NACCHO’s 2021 submission to the Australian Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on Road Safety, available here, found that First Nations people are 2.7 times more likely to die and 1.4 times more likely to suffer serious injury in vehicle crashes than other Australians.

Why this is the case is difficult to establish but we know seatbelts save lives. Between 2018 and 2022 in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields, 25% of motor vehicle occupants killed or seriously injured in a crash were not wearing a seatbelt. The script for the radio advertisements was written and voiced by Aboriginal staff at the Aboriginal owned business, Aboriginal Interpreting WA.

To view the WA Government news article Putting on seatbelts and saving lives in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields in full click here.

young ATSI child helping younger ATSI child put on seatbelt

Image source: WA Government website.

Sector Jobs

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.

1 December 2023

feature tile red ribbon on bark; text 'World AIDS Day 2023: Inclusion. Respect. Equity.'

The image in the feature tile is from National Today, a blog that gathers information on special holidays and moments from around the world.

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.

World AIDS Day 2023: Inclusion. Respect. Equity

Australia has committed to the virtual elimination and transmission of HIV by 2030, with the declaration of ‘leaving no one behind’. Whilst there is a disproportionate burden of other blood borne viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in our communities, rates of HIV are comparable to that of non-Indigenous Australians.

There were 580 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with HIV, and only 17 new notifications reported in 2021. New diagnoses have declined over the past 10 years, however HIV testing also declined throughout and post the COVID-19 pandemic. This may impact the overall figures.

The Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector has been relentless in their efforts to test, treat and educate their community about HIV and other BBVs and STIs. Their hard work helps ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with HIV have access to treatment to enable viral suppression, which means they have no risk of transmitting the infection to a sexual partner.

Australia is a world leader in the elimination of HIV, in part due to our successful approach to community partnerships and collaboration, which aligns well with the World AIDS Day 2023 theme, ‘Inclusion. Respect. Equity’.

Dr Jason Agostino, NACCHO’s senior medical advisor and member of the HIV Taskforce states “It has been great to see the recent declines in new HIV cases among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Virtual elimination of HIV is in reach for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The HIV Taskforce Report outlines the key actions to get there along with continued shared decision making and investment in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector.”

Complex social factors including, intergenerational trauma, poverty, lack of access to health services, low health literacy, high incarceration rates, and ongoing stigma around HIV continue to affect the elimination of BBVs and STIs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.

Donnella Mills, NACCHO Chair, says, ‘to achieve the goal of eliminating HIV transmission in Australia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, this year’s World Aids Day theme Inclusion. Respect. Equity. couldn’t be more critical. Stigma around people with HIV and HIV itself is really concerning. Ultimately, the impact of stigma increases rates of infection because people are too afraid to talk about HIV and afraid of getting tested.’

‘To truly make a difference, we’ve got to put an end to HIV stigma, increase our prevention programs and up our game in the HIV care processes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This means not only ensuring access to treatment but providing the support necessary for individuals to achieve viral suppression. It’s time for all levels of government to step up and work in a coordinated way with stakeholders across the sector.’

NACCHO works with partners to continue advocating for the elimination of HIV and the disproportionate rates of sexually transmitted diseases and blood-borne viruses among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

To build awareness and engage our communities in conversations around HIV, NACCHO hosts the popular HIV Awareness Week Virtual Trivia. This year, it will be held on Thursday 7 December 2023. The event brings people working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community together, to reduce stigma and mobilise grassroots action.

You can register here for the HIV Awareness Week virtual trivia, which will be held on Thursday 7 December and is open to all ACCHO staff and organisations supporting ACCHOs.

NACCHO 2023 save the date Thurs 7 Dec HIV Awareness Week Trivia tile, Condom Man & Lubilicious

World AIDS Day marks the beginning of HIV Awareness Week, which builds on the original Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV Awareness Week, that launched in 2014 by Prof. James Ward (University of Queensland’s Poche Centre for Indigenous Health) and SAHMRI.

You can view the NACCHO media release World AIDS Day 2023: Inclusion. Respect. Equity on the NACCHO website here.

Family Matters 2023 Report launched

A new national report has found Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are 10.5 times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children, with its authors warning more must be done to turn the tide on current trends. The Family Matters Report 2023 released earlier this week (Wednesday 29 November 2023) by the national peak body for First Nations children and families, SNAICC, highlighted the state of child protection across Australia and outlined a range of recommendations to improve the lives of Indigenous children.

According to the report, as of June 2022 there were 22,328 Indigenous children in out-of-home care – the highest number on record and an increase of 85 children from the previous year. SNAICC chairperson Muriel Bamblett said it was concerning to see little traction in improving outcomes across all states and territories. “To have so many children over-represented in the system, so many children are going to grow up away from their family, away from their community,” she said. “They will often not be with their siblings, not know their own country – these are things that are important to Aboriginal [people].”

Ms Bamblett, a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman, said state and federal governments were not acting fast enough to shift control to Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). “It’s a very, very slow transfer of resources, transfer of power and authority, [yet] where we see resources and power back, we see better results,” she said. “Many governments are actually running child protection … out of their government departments, and [there is] very little investment in Aboriginal community control. That speaks against self-determination — Aboriginal people need to be making decisions about their children on their land, on their country, and in their best interests.”

You can access the SNAICC Family Matters Report 2023 here. You can read the ABC News article Report finds Indigenous children 10.5 times more likely be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children in full here.

cover of Family Matters Report 2023

Image source: SNAICC website.

National crackdown on vaping

Health and medical groups have welcomed national vaping reforms due to roll out from 1 January next year, from when the importation of disposable single use vapes will be banned. In parallel with the ban – which is subject to approval of legislative and administrative arrangements – all medical practitioners and nurse practitioners will be able to prescribe the use of vapes, where clinically appropriate, from 1 January under a new Special Access Scheme pathway.

In a statement on Tuesday this week (28 November 2023) Minister Butler said from 1 March 2024, further changes are expected to include:

  • cessation of the personal importation of vapes
  • ban on the importation of non-therapeutic vapes
  • requirement for therapeutic vape importers and manufacturers to notify the Therapeutic Goods Administration of their product’s compliance with the relevant product standards
  • requirement for importers to obtain a licence and permit from the Australian Government’s Office of Drug Control before the products are imported.

During 2024, product standards for therapeutic vapes will also be strengthened, including to limit flavours, reduce permissible nicotine concentrations and require pharmaceutical packaging. A transition period will be allowed for businesses to comply with the new requirements. The Government will introduce legislation in 2024 to prevent domestic manufacture, advertisement, supply and commercial possession of non-therapeutic and disposable single use vapes to ensure comprehensive controls on vapes across all levels of the supply chain.

Minister Butler said he expects these reforms will tackle the rising use of vapes by young Australians. The latest data, from the first quarter of 2023, shows that about one in seven 14- to 17-year-olds and one in five 18- to 24-year-olds are current vapers. There is strong and consistent evidence that young Australians who vape are around three times more likely to take up tobacco smoking compared to young Australians who have never vaped, Butler said.

To read the Croakey Health Media article Reforms to reduce easy access to vapes. Photo by Liv Dumville. Amid a national crackdown on vaping, what can be learnt from young people’s experiences? in full click here.

10 colourful single-use vapes

Image source: University of Bath website.

Calls for national agreement to raise age

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACGP) is calling on first law officers from all Australian governments to agree on raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to at least 14 years of age at the Standing Council of Attorneys-General meeting today (1 December 2023). The Commonwealth, State, and Territory Attorneys-General previously agreed to provide the Standing Council with a position or update on the minimum age of criminal responsibility in their jurisdiction, offering an important opportunity to modernise Australia’s criminal justice system and improve health outcomes of Australian children and young people.

Dr Jacqueline Small, Paediatrician and president of the RACP, says “we urge all Attorneys-General to agree to raise the criminal age of responsibility to at least 14 years of age, without exception. “Agreement this Friday is the best hope for nationally consistent reform to keep very young children out of the criminal justice system. All governments need to listen to health experts who have been sounding the alarm: 10 to 12 years as the threshold for criminal responsibility is too low.”

“Some jurisdictions have made a step in the right direction. We praise the NT and the ACT especially, noting they have more to do, and the leadership from the Commonwealth. Friday’s meeting is an historic opportunity for all states and territories to commit to reforming our criminal justice system and protecting children from harm. Paediatricians and physicians support at least 14 as the uniform, nationally consistent, minimum age of criminal responsibility,” Dr Small said.

To read the RACGP media release Governments must listen to child health experts – Physicians call for national agreement to raise the age of criminal responsibility in full click here.

protestors with banner 'Raise the Age'

Advocates have long called for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised from 10 to 14 around the country. Photo: Nikki Davis-Jones. Image source: The Mercury.

RACGP criticises oversight of PHNs

Insufficient oversight. Potentially inefficient spending of taxpayer funds. Systemic governance issues and poorly managed conflicts of interest. These are the among the highly critical observations included in a recent RACGP submission, available here, to the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) about the oversight of the country’s 31 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), the organisations tasked with improving primary care.

The ANAO auditors are inviting contributions on whether the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoH) manages the performance of PHNs in a way that is fit for purpose; whether compliance has been well monitored; and if the PHN program meets its objectives. In the 12-page document, the RACGP outlines significant member concerns on all three fronts, and queries how taxpayer funds are being spent.

“Such inefficiency is unacceptable when general practice is experiencing some of the most significant challenges in its history and struggling to remain financially sustainable,” the submission states. The college suggests that assessing PHN performance should shift towards being judged on the delivery of outcomes rather than the provision of services. “The community and primary care stakeholders of PHNs need to be involved in determining these indicators to ensure outcomes are meaningful,” the RACGP states.

The submission puts forward potential improvements to the way PHNs work with ACCHOs. “PNHs have been found by ACCHOs to insufficiently consult and collaborate with them and have failed to provide them with adequate resourcing to serve their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations,” the college states. “The Government must move beyond optional guidelines on how PHNs and ACCHOs work together and create mandatory standards for Aboriginal consultation and equitable involvement in commissioning.”

To view the RACGP newsGP article ‘The bar has been set too low’: RACGP criticises oversight of PHNs in full click here.

hand of man in suit pointing to screen with words Audit Compliance Regulation

Image source: RACGP newsGP.

Sector Jobs

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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV Awareness Week

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV Awareness Week (ATSIHAW) is held each year in the first week of December. Now in its 11th year, ATSIHAW has been making sure that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people know about the risks of HIV. They also share some great information about how to get tested and what treatment involves.

Anyone can get HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). When someone has HIV, their body’s immune system is attacked, so they’re more likely to catch, or get sick from other sicknesses. The virus is carried in their blood, so it’s important to keep safe!

People most at risk of catching HIV are those who:

  • have unprotected sex with someone who has HIV
  • share a syringe or needle with someone with HIV
  • get blood from an infected person in an open cut or wound
  • get the virus from their mum when they are a baby if she has HIV.

It’s important to be aware of the risks and get tested for HIV if needed. If HIV isn’t treated it can become a very serious disease that could lead to ending up in hospital, or even dying.

Getting tested for HIV is about looking after your health, and the health of your community. To find out more about HIV, visit the ATSIHIV website here.

To get tested for HIV, have a confidential yarn with your healthcare worker.

29 November 2023

feature tile: image of COVID-19 cells; text ' CAAC concerned about rise in NT COVID-19 cases especially amongst older and more vulnerable patients'

The image in the feature tile is from an ABC News video Australia records 23.6 per cent spike in COVID cases amid eighth wave published on 4 November 2023.

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.

Concerns about rising NT COVID-19 cases

As an eighth wave of COVID-19 sweeps across Australia there has been a sharp rise in the number of people contracting the virus in the NT. This is of particular concern in the NT, where vaccine booster numbers remain low. Only an estimated 43% of NT residents 75 years and over have received a COVID-19 vaccination in 2023.

Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC), the NT’s largest ACCHO, says the rise of cases – especially amongst older and more vulnerable patients – is concerning, “COVID-19 is a virus that affects the vascular system. This brings with it an increased risk of subsequent cardiac events and strokes; a big concern in our population where there are already too many people at high cardiovascular risk. The threat of severe illness continues to be greater for older patients and for those with chronic disease or other frailties. Unfortunately, Aboriginal people are over-represented in this category.”

The CAAC said the messaging around COVID-19 hadn’t changed, “Stopping transmission is the way to protect yourself and your loved ones. Wash your hands and cough/sneeze safely. Wear a mask if you are in crowded indoor settings. Stay home if you feel sick and be sure to self-test using a RAT.”

To view the National Indigenous Times article COVID-19 cases in the NT a worry for Indigenous health group in full click here.

CAAC health worker drawing COVID-19 vaccination

Photo: Samantha Jonscher. Image source: ABC News.

Resources support culturally responsive early learning

Be You, the national mental health and wellbeing in education initiative, has developed a suite of resources to help educators improve cultural responsiveness in early learning services and schools. The resources invite genuine connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families and communities by supporting educators to create inclusive spaces where cultural diversity is celebrated.

Co-designed with a panel of First Nations Peoples, the resources aim to be an important step towards creating safe, welcoming and culturally responsive early learning services and schools. Nina Ross, Senior Officer Professional Learning Curriculum at Narragunnawali, Reconciliation in Education, was one of the panelists, and says the resources are very much needed. “This was a special thing to be a part of, as an Aboriginal person,” she said, also stating that the resources are a great tool to support non-Aboriginal or non- Indigenous people.

Ms Ross said that “With updates to the Early Years Learning Framework, new version of the National Curriculum and the current social and political change happening right now in Australia, educators need this resource to help with conversations and relationship building. There are a lot of children and young people who will benefit from this in their education setting.”

You can access the resources here, and view The Sector article Be You releases series of resources to support culturally respectful engagement in full click here.

ATSI educator with 4 young kids painting with hands

Image source: Be You website.

Dermatologists question NSW pharmacy trial

From next year, pharmacists will be able to prescribe medications for certain skin conditions as part of a statewide trial. The Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD) has expressed “concerns” about the NSW Government’s plan to include some skin conditions in the state’s pharmacy prescribing trial, where participating pharmacists will be authorised to supply certain medicines without a prescription,  saying the risk of misdiagnosis could lead to incorrect treatment and dangerous delays to treatment.

An ACD spokesperson said “The ACD fully supports pharmacists working within medically led, multidisciplinary team-based settings such as general practices and ACCHOs and as part of appropriate clinically governed teams. These allow the pharmacist to work collaboratively with GPs and other health professionals to support the quality and safe use of medicines through patient education and medication governance activities and can help reduce medication misadventures during transitions of care between settings.

“However, we do have concerns about pharmacist prescribing models, particularly outside of GP-led team-based primary care setting. Some serious and malignant conditions can masquerade as common diseases of the skin. Misdiagnosis can lead to incorrect treatment, dangerous delays to appropriate treatment, and result in patients experiencing significant financial burden due to ineffective treatments.”

To view The Medical Republic article ‘Concerned’: dermatologists respond to NSW pharmacy trial in full click here.

ATSI man rubbing clay in palm of hands

Image source: Dermatology Australia, Skin Disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples webpage.

Health of young Australians on the decline

The health of a nation’s children and the ability for them to live longer and healthier lives than those who came before is often considered one of the key indicators of societal progress. Australia is consistently ranked as one of the wealthiest countries in the world per capita, however the health of children in Australia not only stagnating, but in some cases moving backwards.

This week saw the launch of a new national framework, Future Healthy Countdown 2030, to track the health of young people The framework will deliver annual reports in hopes of encouraging real systemic change in healthcare offerings over the next seven years.

A recent report published in The Medical Journal of Australia, highlights the factors that have led to growing negative health outcomes for children in Australia, including increasing wealth inequality, low levels of children achieving physical activity recommendations, and higher rates of psychological distress compared with older adults.

You can listen to the SBS News podcast Headlines on Health – Why is the health of young Australians on the decline? and read a transcript of the podcast here.

SBS News tile: Headlines on Health - Why is the health of young Australians on the decline? - 07:23 minutes

Image source: SBS News.

New resources for mob living with arthritis

The prevalence of arthritis conditions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples is 17%, compared to 13% among non-Aboriginal Australians. They also experience poorer access to healthcare, with Australia’s First Nations people half as likely to access primary care or to receive hip or knee replacement surgery to address osteoarthritis than non-Aboriginal people. Culturally appropriate information, communication and healthcare delivery are essential to improving health and wellbeing outcomes.

Arthritis Australia has launched Australia’s first culturally appropriate resources developed to support and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living with the chronic health conditions osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and gout. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face higher rates of arthritis and autoimmune conditions. The Staying Moving Staying Strong project, funded by the Australian Government, is underpinned by the principle of cultural security. It has involved strong engagement with Aboriginal community members and a rigorous review of clinical practice guidelines, resulting in several academic publications.

Arthritis Australia CEO Jonathan Smithers said, “The Staying Moving Staying Strong resources are an important step towards providing better health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with these often debilitating conditions. We are incredibly proud of the work of the project team and grateful for the contribution of Aboriginal community members.”

To view The National Tribune article New resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and gout in full click here. You can also find more information about the Staying Moving, Staying Strong Project on the Arthritis and Osteoporosis WA website here.

image of 4 Arthritis resources for ATSI - Aboriginal painting in ochre, blue & brown on covers

Image source: Arthritis WA website.

Indigenous cadetship program a first for ERH

A second year ACU nursing student, Tazarni Clarke applied and was accepted to Echuca Regional Health’s first Indigenous cadetship program funded by the Department of Health. The program was created with the express purpose of increasing the number of Aboriginal nursing and allied health students, offering an opportunity to have paid work experience within a public health service and develop work readiness skills.

Ms Clarke said that part of her desire to work remotely is an understanding of how much work and care is required in these areas. “I want to work with those communities because the healthcare is so limited there and access to it and getting people to work there is very limited. I want to go out and explore and help out where I can,” she said.

Acting director of health at Njernda Kim Warde said it was a great experience for students. “You get a really good insight into the care of diabetic and chronic clients, what’s involved with the care of them and management plans. So, you’ll get a good experience,” she said. Having more local students working within the community will also be an important asset within the region, according to Ms Warde. “It really helps when you’re dealing with community. It really does break down a lot of barriers when you are from the community. So, I think it’s a good thing to have these students,” she said.

To read the Shepperton News article ERH welcomes new cadetship program in full click here.

L-R: Acting Director of Health at Njernda Kim Warde, Indigenous second year nursing student Tazarni Clarke, Director of Nursing Michelle Shingles and Director of Education Training and Research Meaghan Douglas

L-R: Acting Director of Health at Njernda Kim Warde, Indigenous second year nursing student Tazarni Clarke, Director of Nursing Michelle Shingles and Director of Education Training and Research Meaghan Douglas. Photo: Aidan Briggs. Image source: Shepparton News.

Sector Jobs

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.

23 November 2023

Feature tile - NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News - 23.22.2023

The image in the feature tile is of Professor Gail Garvey form and is from the National Indigenous Times (Image: VCCC Alliance).

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.

$5 million grant to address cancer screening disparity

Proud Kamilaroi woman Gail Garvey and her team at the University of Queensland will receive a $5 million grant to address the disparity between cancer screening for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The grant has been made available through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Synergy Grant Schemes.

Cancer is a leading cause of death among First Nations Australians with the mortality gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians continuing to widen. To address this, the federal government scheme aims to improve screening programs and research of cancer in Indigenous Australians.

Professor Garvey said that programs to improve cancer screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are most effective when developed in partnership with Indigenous leadership and communities.

“Our aim is to co-design, co-implement and evaluate strategies to achieve equity in cancer screening for Australia’s First people,” she said.

“Access to equitable, safe, and timely models of care to prevent cancer will make health and wellbeing achievable in our communities.”

You can read the full story in the National Indigenous Times here.

Telehealth trial brings care closer to home

A new telehealth program currently being trialled in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) is making it even easier for people in rural and remote communities to access timely and high-quality health care closer to home.

MLHD is trialling Virtual Hubs to give community members the ability to have telehealth appointments in a dedicated space at a District facility, fitted with the equipment needed for a remote consultation, including a large wall-mounted screen, high-quality camera, speaker, wireless mouse and keyboard.

Tameka-Lea King, an Allied Health Assistant at Hillston MPS, said the Virtual Hub is making a significant difference to the local community.

“The feedback we have received from people who have used our Virtual Hub has been very positive,” she said.

“It’s great for people in our community who are living in a rural area, as it has made it easier and more cost effective to access important health appointments without needing to drive hours for a quick consult.”

If the trial is successful, MLHD will consider rolling out Virtual Hubs to other facilities across the District.

You can read the full story on the NSW Health website here.

health professional at desk giving telehealth consult

Image source: The Medical Journal of Australia.

Health system continues to fail people with poor mental health

The Australian Medical Association’s Public hospital report card: mental health edition shows more patients with mental health-related conditions are arriving in emergency departments by ambulance and police services, and more are arriving in a critical condition needing urgent care.

AMA President Professor Steve Robson said the latest data showed the length of stay in EDs for patients presenting with mental health-related conditions was at its highest since 2016–2017, with patients in some states waiting in EDs for as long as 30 hours.

“These long waits, which are directly due to a lack of inpatient beds, cause distress for patients and their families and place enormous pressure on hospital staff,” Professor Robson said.

“Australia is failing to provide appropriate, acceptable care to these most vulnerable of patients. This needs to change, and it needs to change urgently.”

The report found that across all states and territories there were increased numbers of patients triaged for resuscitation or emergency (to be seen within 10 minutes) for mental health-related conditions.

“Without real reform, we will continue to see high suicide rates among people suffering from poor mental health and medical and health staff leaving the profession due to burnout and stress. We need state and territory governments and the federal government to act soon to address the current situation and ensure things don’t get worse,” Professor Robson said.

The AMA is proposing concrete solutions including measures to ensure more patients are seen in primary care settings; increasing the number of mental health beds in public hospitals and improving access to private psychiatry.

You can read the full story on the Australian Medical Association‘s website here.

Read the AMA Public hospital report card: mental health edition 2023

Find out more about our Clear the Logjam Campaign

Emergency Department

Picture of an Emergency Department. Image source: the AMA website.

Being on Country reinforces classroom learning

Beginning with just fifteen students, the Giingana Gumbaynggirr Freedom School (GGFS) is finishing its second year with 53 Aboriginal students and has 72 enrolled for next year, with a waiting list.

The school is now seeking partners to support the school for the long term as it grows.

GGFS is the first bilingual school of an Aboriginal language in NSW and is based on revitalising the Gumbaynggirr language whilst offering high quality education to its students.

It aims to be the first ever full immersion school in the nation, because, around the world, research shows that language immersion schools lead to success for First Nations students, and have done so for many decades.

GGFS says its students are currently achieving outstanding results culturally, socially, emotionally and academically and the school has plans to continue to grow K-12.

“Our mob know what to teach, and how to teach our junuybin (children),” a school spokesperson said.

You can read the full story in News of the Area here.

Gumbaynggirr-School-Expansion_AV_PY

The Giingana Gumbaynggirr Freedom School believes being on Country reinforces classroom learning. Image source: News of the Area website.

Leading examples of First Nations healthcare design

Join the National Rural Health Commissioner, Adjunct Professor Ruth Stewart to see how an Alaskan healthcare foundation has become one of the world’s leading examples of First Nations healthcare design.

Webinar: Southcentral’s Nuka System of Care – leading example of First Nations health care

In the Nuka System, strong relationships between primary care teams and patients help to:

  • manage chronic diseases
  • control health care costs
  • improve the overall health of the community.

The Nuka System of Care recognises that individuals are ultimately in control of their own health care decisions. It engages patients (known as customer-owners) in their own care and supports long-term behavioural change by understanding each patient’s:

  • unique story
  • values
  • influences.

Click on the below links to see some of their programs in action:

Placed are limited to join this webinar. If you are interested in participating in this live webinar, you must register for the event.

For more information and to register for the event click here.

southcentral-s-nuka-system-of-care-leading-example-of-first-nations-health-care

Sector Jobs

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.

 

22 November 2023

Stan Grant calls out media for fuelling disinformation

The image in the feature tile is from NACCHO: Stan Grant calls out media for fuelling disinformation at CONVERGE First National Media National Conference in Canberra 21 November 2023.

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.

Stan Grant calls out media for fuelling disinformation

Academic and former ABC journalist and presenter Stan Grant has decried mainstream Australian media as ‘part of the problem’ in the spread of disinformation. Speaking yesterday (Tuesday 21 November 2023) at CONVERGE, the annual conference of First Nations Media Australia, the Wiradjuri man called out some of the accepted principles of his former profession. “We should not hide behind the lies of objectivity and neutrality,” he told attendees in Canberra.

He also criticised the treatment of Indigenous journalists during the referendum, who he said were hounded for truth-telling. “We were accused of being divisive and our claims were trivialised.” Grant contrasted this with the reception to the claim that colonisation had benefited Aboriginal people, which he said had been welcomed. Formerly the host of the ABC’s Q&A program, Grant stepped back from the role earlier this year, following the firestorm over his comments during the King’s coronation. He described unrelenting pressure from media outlets over his references to the negative effects of colonisation, and a lack of support from ABC management, as the motivation behind his departure.

After a decades-long career as a journalist, the events shook his faith in his chosen profession. “The media took truth and yindyamarra and turned it into hate,” he said. “It remains a hostile environment [for those who want to tell the truth] … it has put poison in the bloodstream of society.”

To read the SBS NITV article ‘Poison in the bloodstream’: Stan Grant calls out the media for fuelling disinformation in full click here.

Australia’s first racism register for First Nations

Wiradjuri man Shane Bell was hoping to further his music career when he started a tertiary course but was shocked by the racism he experienced from other adults in the classroom. “It started out with one racist, and at the end of semester, there were three,” Mr Bell said. The bullying started with comments about his wardrobe before escalating in threats of violence. Ultimately, the racism reached boiling point and Mr Bell struck one of the perpetrators. “I was suspended for 30 days and nothing happened to the bullies,” he said. The institution suspended Mr Bell, but he says they acknowledged he was provoked. Reflecting, Mr Bell felt he couldn’t trust the official complaint process. He was relieved, however, to hear about Australia’s first racism register for First Nations people: Call It Out. 500 individuals registered with the online platform – run by researchers at the University of Technology Sydney’s (UTS) Jumbunna Institute – from the 12 months up to March this year.

Nearly four in 10 people reported a high level of violent and aggressive racism. Almost a quarter said the racism was ongoing. Women were more likely to be victims, but perpetrators were relatively evenly spread between genders. Professor of Criminology at UTS, Chris Cunneen said racism has detrimental effects on people’s health, and physical violence adds to that risk. Other reported locations for racist incidents were health and education settings but workplaces were a major concern.

“The worst types of effects that were noted on the register were people quitting their job. Obviously the economic one (impact), but also the emotional and psychological effect of workplace racism. It was one that was more frequently reported by Aboriginal women than Aboriginal men so there was a gendered dimension to that as well,” Professor Cunneen said.  The period under review in this Report concluded in March 2023 — more than six months prior to the Referendum on a Voice to Parliament … researchers are expecting a spike in the next report Call It Out researchers are hoping the information will be used to inform anti racism campaigns, educate the wider community, help investment in this space and inform law reform.

To read the ABC News article ‘Elderly Indigenous woman pepper sprayed, knocked to the ground’: Submissions to Australia’s first racism register for First Nations in full click here.

A new report found almost four in 10 First Nations people have experienced high levels of violent and aggressive racism. Almost a quarter said the racism was ongoing. Image source: ABC News Graphics/UTS.

A new report found almost four in 10 First Nations people have experienced high levels of violent and aggressive racism. Almost a quarter said the racism was ongoing. Image source: ABC News Graphics/UTS.

Indigenous knowledge has value in medical education

PhD candidate Dr Paul Saunders is a proud Biripi man. His family hails from the Taree area in the mid-north coast of NSW. Dr Saunders says he has always had a strong connection to community and is proud of the fact that the work he does is based on community need, working with local Aboriginal medical services to determine the most needed research directions. Dr Saunders said that when he was in clinical practice, it became clear to him that what was really required couldn’t be fulfilled while working as a practitioner. The poor statistics in terms of Indigenous health care, patient experiences and outcomes, he says, are what motivated him to move into the research space – to effect change at a system and policy level.

Doctors, Dr Saunders said, must be able to practice in a way that aligns with Indigenous community expectations. His PhD is looking at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inter-cultural capabilities of non-Indigenous students within the medical program and exploring what this might look like across the east coast of Australia, where there’s great diversity across different communities.

According to Dr Saunders, there also needs to be a generational change within the medical workforce rather than piecemeal change. He says his PhD will contribute to informing medical students of how to work appropriately with Aboriginal communities within the medical care setting, “We must create the capabilities required before medical practitioners enter a clinical setting to minimise the harm for Indigenous patients. Primary medical education is a good starting point to ensure that medical students, who are our future doctors, are able to practice culturally responsive work which then impacts positively on cultural safety as we know it.”

To read The University of Melbourne Pursuit article Australia need to value Indigenous knowledge in medical education in full click here.

Dr Paul Saunders says medical education still fails to fully recognise or appreciate Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. Image source: The University of Melbourne, Pursuit.

Dr Paul Saunders says medical education still fails to fully recognise or appreciate Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. Image source: The University of Melbourne, Pursuit.

New Goldfields health hub, a gamechanger

Curtin University’s new Goldfields health hub designed to support students to live, study and work in regional WA and ensure communities get the care they need, was officially launched in Kalgoorlie yesterday (Tuesday 21 November 2023). The Goldfields University Department of Rural Health (GUDRH) will work closely with healthcare providers including the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Western Operations) to deliver world-class education, placements, research, and local careers for the future health workforce. Funding for the GUDRH is provided by the Department of Health and Aged Care under the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) Program.

Launched at Curtin’s Kalgoorlie campus by The Hon Emma McBride MP, Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health; Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, the GUDRH will provide clinical training opportunities, help to retain healthcare professionals in the region and ultimately support the provision of accessible and high-quality health care in the Goldfields. “This University Department of Rural Health will play a critical role in improving health outcomes in the Goldfields region, as well as offering social and economic benefits,” Assistant Minister McBride said. “Everyone has a right to quality health care, no matter where they live. Giving health care students outside the major cities a chance to remain close to home and study in the communities they know and understand is important to improving health care in rural and regional areas.”

Curtin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor Paul Brunton said the Kalgoorlie-based GUDRH builds on the University’s existing medical education and training presence in the region. “Curtin believes every Australian deserves the best healthcare, no matter where they live. This hub will offer our health workers of the future the opportunity to learn their skills in the regions where they will deliver them,” Professor Brunton said.

To view the Curtin University article Gamechanger health hub officially opens in the Goldfields in full click here.

L-R: Rick Wilson MP, Member for O'Connor, Curtin University Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof Helen McCutcheon, Ali Kent MLA, Member for Kalgoorlie, GUDRH Advisory Council member Victor Smith, the Hon Emma McBride MP, Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health; Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof Paul Brunton and City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor Glenn Wilson. Photo: Remote Digital Imagery. Image source: Curtin University.

L-R: Rick Wilson MP, Member for O’Connor, Curtin University Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof Helen McCutcheon, Ali Kent MLA, Member for Kalgoorlie, GUDRH Advisory Council member Victor Smith, the Hon Emma McBride MP, Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health; Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof Paul Brunton and City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor Glenn Wilson. Photo: Remote Digital Imagery. Image source: Curtin University.

Grants guide people away from criminal justice system

A new series of grants worth $9m for community-based programs aimed at preventing people from coming into contact with the criminal justice system was announced yesterday (Tuesday 21 November 2023), with multiple Indigenous organisations set to receive support. Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF) – a philanthropic organisation which aims to break cycles of disadvantage in Australian by investing in partnerships for potential – in partnership with the Australian Communities Foundation (ACF) and Thirriwirri, announced the funding for 11 organisations as part of the Just Futures Open Grant Round.

PRF Head of Justice and Safety, Dominique Bigras, said the grants were to support the work of small-scale operations whilst simultaneously building towards long-term change. “Evidence shows that community-led initiatives are key to addressing the drivers of contact with the justice system, working at the grassroots level to play a critical role in breaking cycles of incarceration,” she said. Just Futures grants is aimed at supporting early-stage and small-scale programmes and is focussed heavily on community-led initiatives. Of these 11 grantees, six are First Nations-led and three are Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD)-led.

This falls in line with the propositions put forward by many Indigenous voices – including the Yoorrook Justice Commission and Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) – that initiatives aimed at helping First Nations people should be placed in the hands of Indigenous-led organisations. Ms Bigras said the grants would “grow the impact of community-led prevention and post-release programs, with a focus on young people, especially First Nations and CALD youth, systems change and advancing alternatives to custody.”

To view the National Indigenous Times article Indigenous organisations receive Paul Ramsay Foundation grants to guide individuals away from the criminal justice system in full click here.

The YSAS/Bunjilwarra Koori Youth Alcohol and Drug Healing Service will build two new studio units with the PRF funding. Image source: National Indigenous Times.

The YSAS/Bunjilwarra Koori Youth Alcohol and Drug Healing Service will build two new studio units with the PRF funding. Image source: National Indigenous Times.

Earbus to continue delivering ear health services

Ear infections occur among Aboriginal children at a significantly higher rate than non-Indigenous children and can have a serious, adverse effect on the ability to learn. While Australia’s overall population has one of the lowest rates of chronic ear disease in the world, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has a special listing for Australia’s Indigenous people alongside its list of the five countries with the highest rates of middle-ear disease.

A unique program that tackles ear health for Aboriginal and at-risk children will run locally for at least another three years in WA’s South West, delivering much needed car. Alcoa Foundation, the aluminium producer’s global charity, will provide Earbus Foundation of WA with $450,000 over three years, allowing Earbus to continue delivering ear health services in Kwinana, Peel and the Upper South West regions.

Earbus Foundation was established in 2012 to deliver world class ear care in regional and remote communities. It now services more than 100 sites across WA, deploying inter-disciplinary clinical teams and helping thousands of children who would otherwise not receive a service. The “one stop shop” mobile clinic goes where the kids are, travelling to schools, daycares, kindergarten,  and early learning centres. The service is free to communities, removing cost and accessibility as barriers to Aboriginal and other at-risk children receiving the care they need. Earbus has conducted ear assessments for about 1,350 children across 33 schools, day care centres and early learning centres. That has included 3,046 ear screens, 1,647 hearing tests and 844 health checks. Over the past three years, rates of middle ear disease in the areas served by the Alcoa Earbus Program have been reduced and rates of hearing loss have dropped from 11.6% to 4.7%.

To view the National Indigenous Times article Alcoa backs Earbus’ vital ongoing work with Indigenous children in full click here.

Alcoa Foundation Launch - Child Hearing Test. Image: Earbus.

Alcoa Foundation Launch – Child Hearing Test. Image: Earbus.

Sector Jobs

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.

 

15 November 2023

feature tile image: ATSI hands gripping jail bars, superimposed with Aboriginal transparent flag; text 'New report finds mental health, poverty, family history and unemployment all key factors in incarceration'

The image in the feature tile is from an article Indigenous Australians’ incarceration Gap widens during the pandemic published  in the Public Health Association Australia’s blog Intouch Public Health on 18 March 2021.

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.

New report identifies key incarceration factors

More than half of prison entrants have previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition, and almost half expect to be homeless upon release, the sixth survey on the health of people in Australian prisons has found. The study also found that 36% (more than one third) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prison entrants reported that during their childhood, one or both parents or carers had spent time in prison. For non-Indigenous prisoners the rate was 15%. 42% of prison entrants aged 18–24 had a parent or carer in prison during their childhood.

Today the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) released The health of people in Australia’s prisons 2022, which includes information gathered from 73 of 87 prisons across Australia (excluding Victoria) to develop “a comprehensive view of the health, wellbeing and social factors that affect people before, during and after time in prison”. AIHW spokesperson Amanda Donges noted that “many people in prison come from disadvantaged backgrounds, with poorer physical and mental health outcomes than the general population.” Nearly one-third of prison entrants had an education level of Year 9 or below. In the 30 days before entering prison, more than four in 10 (43%) were homeless, nearly half (46%) were unemployed and only one in 20 (5.1%) were studying.

Nearly half (48%) of prison dischargees expected to be homeless on release from prison, with 45% planning to sleep in short term or emergency accommodation and 2.8% expecting to sleep rough. Only 52% of prison dischargees had their own stable accommodation arranged. More than half of surveyed prison entrants (51%) reported a previous diagnosis of a mental health condition, including alcohol and other drug use disorders. Almost three quarters (73%) of prison entrants reported using illicit drugs at least once during the previous 12 months.

To view the National Indigenous Times article Mental health, poverty, family history and unemployment key factors in incarceration – new report in full click here.

inmates walking along walkway Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, N Qld

Lotus Glen Correctional Centre in northern Queensland. Photo: Daniel Soekov, Human Rights Watch, via AAP. Image source: National Indigenous Times.

Dialysis 900kms from home and family

When Robyn Neade isn’t strapped to a chair receiving life-saving dialysis treatment, she wanders around a strange city 100s of kms away from family and friends. The Indigenous Mount Isa resident is on the North West Hospital and Health Service’s (NWHHS) waiting list to access dialysis treatment back home.

But with no spots available she has had to move to a boarding house in Townsville, 900kms away, to receive treatment. She is terrified of dying alone without her loved ones by her side, “We have to go down to Townsville and wait for a seat to come back to Mount Isa — how many years is that [going to be]?” She is one of 30 people on the waiting list for a renal chair in Mount Isa. “We’ve got to be here in Townsville wishing that someone’s going to hurry up and die,”Ms Neade said.

Dialysis is used to treat chronic kidney disease by removing extra fluid and waste products from a patients’ blood. It’s an intensive treatment which patients must commit to for hours at a time, most days of the week. Ms Neade was completing dialysis treatment at home, but when her kidney issues worsened, she was forced to move to Townsville for treatment. “I miss my family, it’s very, very sad, it’s heartbreaking,” she said.

To view the ABC News story Renal patient Robyn Neade faces heartbreak of dialysis 900km from her Mount Isa home and family in full click here.

Dialysis patient Aboriginal woman Robyn Neade

Robyn Neade is scared she’ll die 900km from her loved ones. Image source: ABC News.

Coproduced research empowers communities

In a recent study published in Nature Medicine, researchers reviewed the evolution of health research co-production with Indigenous peoples, where a collaborative effort explores shared control and reciprocity in health research while examining the divergent aspects of Indigenous and Western knowledge systems, political and strategic differences, and ethical standards.

The concept of co-production has recently gained much attention in health research in a push to enhance health research outcomes through a process that is responsive to the participants and stakeholders. It fosters collaborations between health researchers and a wide range of stakeholders such as Indigenous peoples, patients and their families, service providers, communities, and the general public, and the design, analyses, dissemination, and evaluation of results is conducted through shared control.

The primary goal is to improve the meaningfulness and tangibility of the results from the outset for all the parties involved in the process. Co-production is also thought to enlarge the scope of the study and improve the possibility of uptake. The long history of colonisation of Indigenous communities has naturally resulted in a level of mistrust and suspicion among Indigenous researchers towards Western research methodologies. Furthermore, the structural nature of research design can also perpetuate discrimination and prejudice if conducted in an unethical and non-inclusive manner.

In the present study, the researchers discussed co-production as a distinct form of collaborative research, examined the evolution of co-production involving Indigenous peoples, reviewed some illustrative examples involving Indigenous peoples, such as the Indigenous Maori of NZ, and presented recommendations for effective and responsive methods of co-production with Indigenous peoples.

To view the News Medical Life Sciences article Empowering indigenous communities through coproduced health research in full click here.

Training researchers to take clinical measurements as part of the Next Generation study. L-R: Ricky Mentha (Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Bobby Porykali (The George Institute), Robyn Williams (University of Melbourne), Elizabeth Hillmann

Training researchers to take clinical measurements as part of the Next Generation study. L-R: Ricky Mentha (Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Bobby Porykali (The George Institute), Robyn Williams (University of Melbourne), Elizabeth Hillmann (The George Institute). Image source: University of Melbourne Pursuit.

Lowitja Institute CEO Victorian 2024 Australian of the Year

Narungga Kaurna woman Janine Mohamed, a pioneer for Indigenous healthcare, has been named Victoria’s 2024 Australian of the Year. Ms Mohamed has dedicated her life to fighting racism and improving health outcomes for Australia’s Indigenous communities. She has spent the last five years as CEO of the Lowitja Institute, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led community health research organisation based in Melbourne, and before that, she was CEO of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives.

While she refers to herself as an “accidental CEO”, her experience suggests otherwise — Ms Mohamed has worked for 25 years in nursing, health policy and Indigenous health and wellbeing research. Ms Mohamed said growing up in a mission in SA’s Point Pearce inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare. “I saw the amazing work of healthcare professionals, but I also saw the devastating work of health professionals and the missed opportunities,” she said. “I really wanted to understand that more.”

Ms Mohamed said her work has involved celebrating excellence in her community, but also has required her to talk about the “tough stuff”, which is racism. “It is something that our people have been asking for for a long time – it is the eradication of racism,” she said. “I think we have to understand what racism looks like and feels like and what it produces to be able to envision a different future. “For me, an amazing future would be that everyone is practising cultural safety and anti-racism.”

To view the ABC News article Indigenous healthcare pioneer Janine Mohamed takes out top honour as Victoria’s 2024 Australian of the Year in full click here.

Lowitja Institute CEO Janine Mohamed holding Australian of the Year for Victoria Award

Lowitja Institute CEO Janine Mohamed is the Australian of the Year for Victoria. Photo: NADC/Salty Dingo. Image source: ABC News.

VACCHO celebrates shawl project documentary launch

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) has launched a new documentary showcasing the staunch Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who have brought the Beautiful Shawl Project to life over the past year, and their stories. The feature shares Aboriginal and Torres Strait women’s breast screening experiences in Victoria through the Beautiful Shawl Project. And includes personal insights from women who screened with the Beautiful Shawl Project – as well as those who carry out vital work increasing Community awareness and engagement around the Project.

Yesterday (14 November 2023) VACCHO paid tribute “to the many women who generously shared their stories, wisdom, and insight as part of this inspiring film”. The Beautiful Shawl Project is a collaborative program between VACCHO and BreastScreen Victoria. It is a Community-led initiative providing “safe and empowering” breast screening experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in a culturally safe setting.

Since its launch in 2019, The Beautiful Shawl Project has worked in partnership with over 25 ACCHOs and other organisations with their Aboriginal-led teams to provide over 1000 lifesaving breast screens to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Of those screened, 29% were first time screeners and 39% were lapsed (overdue) at the time of their breast screen. VACCHO CEO Jill Gallagher AO said The Beautiful Shawl Project documentary demonstrates the transformative health outcomes that can be achieved by culturally safe and responsive cancer screening initiatives.

You can view the National Indigenous Times article VACCHO celebrates launch of Beautiful Shawl Project Documentary on Indigenous health in full click here and watch the full documentary online here.

Aboriginal woman draped in Beautiful Shawl in front of Breast Screen pink bus

Beautiful Shawl art by Alkina Edwards, Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Mutti Mutti and Wiradjuri. Art Title: dj, which means Woman Shield. Photo: VACCHO. Image source: National Indigenous Times.

Parental stress and child asthma symptoms link

University of Queensland (UQ) research has shown a link between parental stress stemming from financial hardship and exacerbated asthma symptoms in children. Dr K M Shahunja from UQ’s Poche Centre for Indigenous Health led a study that analysed the data of more than 3,900 children collected over 14 years in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Dr Shahunja said the study was the first in Australia to look at the association of psychosocial factors with asthma symptoms through longitudinal analyses of one- to 15-year-olds.

“People are generally aware that environmental factors like smoking, traffic pollution and allergens can trigger asthma symptoms, but perhaps don’t realise psychosocial stressors can also have a harmful effect,” Dr Shahunja said. “It’s important parents and health professionals understand the significant influence the psychosocial environment has on children and how stressors can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Further research is needed to develop effective strategies to address maternal depression, financial hardship, and parental stress for long-term asthma control in children.”

Dr Shahunja worked with co-authors Associate Professor Abdullah Mamun from UQ’s Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and Professor Peter Sly from UQ’s Child Health Research Centre.

To view The University of Queensland article Asthma symptoms more common in children with stressed parents in full click here.

young ATSI girl with blue puffer

Image: Asthma (Short Wind) information booklet developed by Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital and the University of WA.

Sector Jobs

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.

9 November 2023

The image in the feature tile is from the Territories Stolen Generation Redress Scheme.

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.

Territories Stolen Generation Redress Scheme

Sharing or reading this information might bring up difficult memories and feelings. There is 24/7 support available if you need help managing the emotional impacts of this information.

Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme provides redress to survivors. Two years after the announcement of the Stolen Generations Redress Scheme, over 700 Stolen Generations survivors have received redress, with close to $60 million paid in total. According to Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme Branch Manager, Erin Selmes, this represents significant progress for the Federal Government Scheme.

“We have worked in partnership with Stolen Generations survivors and networks to deliver this important Scheme in a culturally appropriate and trauma informed way” she said.

“It’s very pleasing to see Stolen Generations survivors receive redress and acknowledgement of their experience. I hope that more survivors will take the step to consider applying for the Scheme”.

Stolen Generations survivors who were removed as children from their families and or communities in the Northern Territory or the Australian Capital Territory (before self-government) or the Jervis Bay Territory, can apply for redress. The Scheme is open for applications until 28 February 2026.

The Scheme offers eligible individuals a redress payment of up to $75,000 and a healing assistance payment of $7,000. It also offers the opportunity for Stolen Generations survivors to have their story about the impact of their removal acknowledged by a senior government official, should they wish. Applicants do not need to have records about their removal to apply but may wish to share any documentation.

Free support services are available to help applicants throughout the application process—they can access these services even if they are just thinking about applying. Support to submit applications is available through local Link Up services. Independent, culturally safe and trauma informed legal and financial advice is available through knowmore Legal Service on 1800 566 966 or 1800KNOWMORE.

If a member of the Stolen Generations passes away on or after the Scheme was announced on 5 August 2021 and they would have met the eligibility criteria, their family will be able to apply on their behalf.

How to apply

To apply for the Scheme, fill in an Application for redress form:

  • download a copy from gov.au/apply
  • Call the Scheme on 1800 566 111
  • Email the Scheme on help@territoriesredress.gov.au
  • Write to the Scheme at Reply Paid 83394, Canberra ACT 2601
  • Visit your local Link Up service for a copy.

To find out more about the Scheme, visit territoriesredress.gov.au email or call 1800 566 111.

Further support and assistance:

  • 13YARN 13 92 76
  • Lifeline 13 11 14
  • Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
  • Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

Let’s Yarn About Sleep

Obstructive sleep apnoea is about twice as common in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people compared with non-Indigenous Australians. However, the sleep-related respiratory disorder is significantly under reported in First Nations communities. The Let’s Yarn About Sleep program in QLD is hoping to change that, by acknowledging the importance of sleep not just to physical and mental health, but to spiritual health. The program uses traditional knowledge as a key part of its culturally responsive model of care.

Let’s Yarn About Sleep project coordinator and Kalkadoon woman Roslyn Von Senden says, “Sleep loss deprives us of opportunities to connect with our culture, our ancestors and who we are as traditional custodians of the world’s oldest surviving culture. That leads to poor emotional and mental health, affects our wellbeing and results in chronic conditions.”

The program provides culturally responsive model for local diagnosis and management of, and education about, obstructive sleep apnoea in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This has involved consultation with 12 First Nations communities, and training Aboriginal health workers and nurses to deliver the program. Community Elders also guide the tram to integrate cultural practices such as didgeridoo sessions for men. The didgeridoo is an important part of cultural ceremonies and playing the Aboriginal musical instrument reduces the severity of sleep apnoea. It strengthens the muscles of the throat and the back of the tongue, which are key muscles associated with sleep apnoea.

Read the full The Conversation article here and learn more about Let’s Yarn About Sleep here.

Image source: Shutterstock.

“Those aspirations are not lost” – Yes23 Campaigners reflect on where to from here

Yes23 leaders this week expressed ongoing commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart’s calls for Voice, Treaty, Truth, and rallied supporters at emotional virtual town hall events that acknowledged pain and grief from the loss of the Voice referendum. Yes23Campaigner, leading filmmaker and Arrernte/Kalkadoon woman, Rachel Perkins urges supporters to continue to step up on Indigenous issues, “Even though we’ve been defeated in this moment, that does not mean that we will let go of those aspirations: they remain strong, and they have remained strong for decades and we will not lose sight of them.

“So, however the Voice is created in the future, whatever the mechanisms for Treaty, state and federal, that come, those aspirations are not lost,” she said.

Asked how she felt, three weeks on, Ms Perkins said it helped to attend events like the town halls, “to connect with everyone again,” but her overall response was “comparable to a grief in some ways.” She said there is “some anger there,” but she is trying to channel it into positive activities and is beginning to think about what’s next.

Read the full Croakey Health Media article here.  

Rachel Perkins at the Yes23 virtual town hall. Image source: Croakey Health Media.

Community foster care to be provided by SWAMS

The South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) has been awarded a WA Government contract to provide children’s Out of Home Care (OOHC) Services. SWAMS is one of five new ACCOs who will deliver OOHC services across the state. The appointment was made after the Department of Communities acknowledged that ACCOs are best placed to provide and ensure culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in OOHC.

“SWAMS is best positioned within the Aboriginal community, making family or kinship care options more suitable,” said SWAMS CEO Lesley Nelson.

“Improved opportunities for early reunification and strengthened family and cultural connections will lead to greater stability for children as well as the ability to remain on Country, connected to family, community and culture, in culturally safe care arrangements.”

Read more here.

Hopes reopened pools will boost health outcomes

Children in some of the NT’s hottest communities have had to resort to swimming in crocodile infested rivers, due to a shortfall of qualified lifeguards at public pools. Temperatures in the Roper River community of Ngukurr have recently soared into the high 30s and the humidity topped 80 per cent, prompting the local Yugul Mangi Aboriginal Corporation’s youth officer Gene Daniels to take action. Roper Gulf is one of several local governments which has partnered with the YMCA to work towards reopening their pools, using its qualified lifeguards.

YMCA NT Chief Executive Matt Feutrill said he hopes reopening pools will boost health outcomes. He said benefits associated with chlorinated water include controlling skin infections such as scabies, eye infections, trachoma, and ear infections.

“All the communities around, like Minyerri, Hodson Downs and Urapungu schools will be able to use the pool at Ngukurr, and with Borroloola, the Robinson River school kids will be able to use that one too, so hopefully we’ll get really good health outcomes right across the region,” he said.

Read the full ABC News article here.

Community members in Ngukurr organised a slip and slide as an alternative to the pool. Image source: ABC News: Jane Bardon.

Sector Jobs

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.

11 October 2023

photo of Aboriginal child's face with white dot body paint & ATSI woman in background with Aboriginal flag t-shirt

The image in the feature tile is from an article Voice campaigns urged to keep mental health top of mind published in the National Indigenous Times on 6 September 2023. Photo: Mick Tsikas, AAP.

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is 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.

Racism taking a toll during VTP campaign

Audrina Pinney is only 12 years old but that’s old enough for the young Gamilaroi child to have experienced racism. Audrina believes that if the referendum gets up she and her friend, who she says both get bullied a lot, will have a lot more confidence. Too young to vote, but too old to ignore what’s happening around her, Audrina has taken an active role in campaigning for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Audrina’s mother Melita Berthaly said. “This is our future here. If we’re not backing this, what are we backing?” she said. “We want to stop the pain, and the hardship of fighting just to be us. For me, this is all about our younger generations, and supporting them for a brighter better future, sitting at the table with the big guys and having our voices heard.”

For many Aboriginal people in the NSW Riverina, the vote for a Voice to Parliament feels like the most important event of their lives. Aboriginal crisis support service 13YARN say the referendum campaign has been a challenging experience for Indigenous Australians. National program manager Marjorie Anderson said people should reach out for support if they were struggling. “13YARN is seeing a rise of in calls related to abuse, trauma and racism,” she said. “The increased focus in the media on Aboriginal issues due to the referendum and the rise in racism on social media is having an impact on the Aboriginal community.”

Eddie Whyman is a proud Wiradjuri man living in Wagga who has recently taken a more public role in activism. He said he’d seen more racism in the last few months than he did growing up. “On social media, we’ve seen the true colours of Australia shine through,” he said. “It’s impacted me mentally, and personally … it’s impacted me significantly.” Mr Whyman said misinformation was leading directly to these impacts. “I’ve always heard, and it’s been more in your face, is that Aboriginal people get everything as it is – free house, free car,” he said. “I’ve had to work for what I’ve got … our local Aboriginal medical and dental provides, but we still have to pay a fee when we get referrals. I’m still waiting for my free house.”

To view the Narromine News and Trangie Advocate article Aboriginal Australians are suffering from racism and misinformation in full click here.

Audrina Pinney & her mum Melita Berthaly speaking on the VTP

Audrina Pinney and her mother Melita Berthaly. Image source: Narromine News and Trangir Advocate.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for kids

Content warning: This article contains reference to suicide. Please refer to the services at the bottom of this article for support.

A Kimberley community leader says young people and their families are still struggling to access basic mental health support despite suicide being the leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed suicide accounted for 27% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children last year. The causes of death report revealed that more than a third of those children were aged between 15 and 17. The high rates of child suicide in the Kimberley have been the subject of numerous coronial inquests, as well as other inquiries and reviews, and the WA government has faced criticism for failing to make good on its highly-publicised promises. Coroners have also expressed frustration that their recommendations have received little to no follow-up at state and national levels.

Nyamba Buru Yawuru CEO Taliah Payne said people in the Kimberley had been in desperate need of help for too long. “When you’re sitting across the dinner table and you’ve got a nephew in a neck brace because he survived his attempt and you’re trying to eat your roast dinner, it’s in your face,” she said. “They’re doing it so violently, which means to me that they’re so desperate, and no-one’s listening and no-one’s seeing the person behind that pain.”

The Broome-based Yawuru, Nimanburru and Djugun woman said youth suicide and mental health issues had been present in her life since her nine-year-old cousin died by suicide when she was 11 years old. “We’ve lost lots of family members to that … it’s in your face, really,” Ms Payne said. “We know that we shouldn’t be seeing this … it’s an ongoing support system that needs to happen. If we have traumatised children, we’re going to have traumatised adults — that is plain and simple.” Ms Payne said young people in the Kimberley continued to struggle to access mental health support and that many were forced to travel as far as Perth for help.

To view the ABC News article Calls for support as suicide revealed as leading cause of death for Indigenous children in full click here.

simple white cross on fresh grave

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Indigenous children and advocates in WA say the situation has been desperate for years. Photo: Joshua Spong, ABC Kimberley.

If this article brought up anything for you or someone you love, please reach out to, call or visit the online resources listed below for support:

13YARN – 13 92 76, 13yarn.org.au

Lifeline – 13 11 14, lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636, beyondblue.org.au/forums

MensLine – 1300 789 978

Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800

Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467

Mental health app for NT mob launched

The Menzies School of Health Research on Tuesday this week (9 October 2023) launched an online resource which blends evidence-based treatment with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander world views. The Digital Stay Strong Plan, which can be accessed via an app or through its website, is an interactive document that prompts the user to fill out a four-step mental health care plan.

Stay Strong lead cultural advisor Patj Patj Janama Robert Mills said while it was designed for Aboriginal people, all Territorians could use the free resource. Mr Mills said about two decades of research and consultation had gone into the plan, which had previously been used across the country for years in more formal settings. “The beauty of this digital program is once you download it, you don’t need Wi-Fi (to use it),” he said. “You can actually go through the four-step care plan on your phone … then you’ve literally got a helping hand on your phone at any time.”

Mr Mills said it marked a huge change for access to mental health support and offered something his generation never had. “I was born in the 60s … there was no discussion on mental health at all,” he said. “We want to break down all the stigmas, mental health is not a dirty word.”

To view the NT News article Menzies launch Digital Stay Strong Plan mental health app in full click here.

mobile phone screen with AIMhi Stay Strong app

The Digital Stay Strong Plan can be accessed on the AIMhi app. Photo: Annabel Bowles. Image source: NT News.

25 years of optometry services within VAHS

This month, the Australian College of Optometry (ACO) is celebrating 25 years of optometry services within the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) in Melbourne. This unique clinic aims to remove barriers to eye care experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in mainstream services which continues to systematically fail Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and drive health disparities. As an ACCHO, VAHS supports the social, emotional, physical, and cultural wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and is coincidentally celebrating 50 years of operation this year. Eye health is among the many healthcare services available to community members through VAHS, including GP care, dental, physiotherapy and family counselling.

The ACO’s optometry clinic delivers culturally safe care with sessions running every Tuesday and Friday. Nilmini John, ACO Manager of Aboriginal Services, leads the team of four optometrists who service the embedded clinic. In this role, Nilmini works closely with the VAHS team to continually ensure community eye health needs are met.  Collaboration between health care providers and ACCHOs has proven instrumental for meaningful impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes, and the ACO is appreciative of the opportunity to work within community-controlled spaces, such as VAHS, to deliver effective care.

Gavin Brown, VAHS CEO is passionate about the growth in eye care services at available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. “VAHS is a recognised leader in the eye health space, and we also acknowledge the incredible work that ACCHOs are doing across Australia. There is a strong synergy by all those involved in improving the eye health in our communities as we continue to be committed to enabling the gift of sight.”

To view the Optometry Australia article ACO celebrates 25 years of optometry service at VAHS in full click here.

Nilmini John, optometrist and ACO Manager of Aboriginal Services, examines patient at VAHS

Nilmini John, optometrist and ACO Manager of Aboriginal Services, examines patient at VAHS. Image source: Optometry Australia.

Lived experience sparks midwife to help others

Being a mother to six boys, with one of her children born prematurely at 29 weeks, prompted Noongar woman Valerie Ah Chee to become a midwife at the age of 45. Inspired to improve perinatal and infant mortality outcomes within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, Ms Ah Chee is now using her midwifery experience as a Mater Researcher within the Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence.

“According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Australia’s Mothers and Babies report in 2020, Indigenous stillbirth is at 11.9% while non-Indigenous stillbirth sits at 7.4%,” she said. “To recognise why that is and to try to develop and adjust programs to improve prevention strategies and outcomes is vital.”

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month (October 2023) is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of maternal health education and support among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Focusing on Aboriginal maternal and infant health, Ms Ah Chee is working with her team to embed cultural safety in the pregnancy and birth space, to improve the health of Aboriginal women and their babies from a cultural perspective.

The Indigenous team at the Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence worked with the Indigenous community to adapt core elements of the successful national initiative Safer Baby Bundle (SBB), embedding Indigenous people’s own way of knowing, being and doing. Expanding on this initiative, Ms Ah Chee is now developing resources to educate and support non-Indigenous healthcare professionals who work with Indigenous women in this space.

You can find more information about the Safer Baby program here.

To view the Mater News article Lived experience sparks Indigenous Mater Research midwife to help others in full click here.

midwife Valerie Ah Chee on verandah of old red brick hospital

Midwife Valerie Ah Chee. Image source: Mater News.

Taking care of mental health during the referendum

The Voice referendum is having a negative impact on the mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The federal government set aside an extra $10m to boost support services, and research the consequences of the vote. The research side is being managed by the National Centre for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research (NCATSIWR) at Australian National University (ANU).

Yesterday, Wednesday 10 October 2023, ABC Listen Life Matters host Hilary Harper spoke with:

  • Ms Cornforth of the Wuthathi peoples of the far north-east cape of Qld with family roots also in Zenadth Kes (the Torres Strait Islands), who is Head of the NCATSIWR, and
  • Tanja Hirvonen, a proud Jaru and Bunaba woman (Kimberley, WA), who is a clinical psychologist and Board director of the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association

about what’s been learned so far, and how can we support those having a difficult time during the referendum, and afterwards.

You can listen to yesterday’s ABC Listen Life Matters episode Taking care of mental health during the Voice referendum in full here.

NCATSIWR fact sheets about the Voice can be accessed here.

If you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person in crisis you can call 13YARN on 13 96 76.

ATSI person's hand casting vote in VTP referendum in remote WA community

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person casting their vote on the Voice to Parliament Referendum in a remote WA community. Photo: Rosanne Maloney, ABC News.

Sector Jobs

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.