Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
J. Coombes, K. Hunter, K. Bennett-Brook, B. Porykali, C. Ryder, M. Banks, N. Egana, T. Mackean, S. Sazali, E. Bourke, C. Kairuz
Summary: This systematic review identified the causes of leave events among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as strategies to reduce them. It highlighted the association of leave events with gaps in healthcare quality, emphasizing the need for better representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the health workforce and partnership with them in decision-making processes for providing culturally appropriate healthcare services.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joanne Luke, Philippa Dalach, Lindsay Tuer, Ravi Savarirayan, Angeline Ferdinand, Julie McGaughran, Emma Kowal, Libby Massey, Gail Garvey, Hugh Dawkins, Misty Jenkins, Yin Paradies, Glenn Pearson, Chloe A. Stutterd, Gareth Baynam, Margaret Kelaher
Summary: Research shows disparities in access to clinical genetic health services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Australia, with fewer appointments scheduled and lower attendance rates. These findings provide important baseline data on disparities in access to clinical genomics in Australia.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Urology & Nephrology
Stephen P. Mcdonald, Katie Cundale, Kelli J. Owen, Matilda D'Antoine, Jaquelyne T. Hughes
Summary: Indigenous people in Australia are disadvantaged in accessing kidney transplantation. The National Indigenous Kidney Transplant Taskforce was established to address this issue by providing support to clinicians, implementing and evaluating innovative practices, and developing strategies to overcome barriers in the care system.
NATURE REVIEWS NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Katherine A. Thurber, Emily Banks, Grace Joshy, Kay Soga, Alexandra Marmor, Glen Benton, Sarah L. White, Sandra Eades, Raglan Maddox, Tom Calma, Raymond Lovett
Summary: Smoking significantly increases the risk of mortality among Indigenous Australian adults aged 45 years and older. Results show that over half of deaths in this population are attributable to smoking, with current smokers having a much lower survival rate compared to never-smokers. Efforts to prioritize Indigenous tobacco control are crucial in reducing mortality rates related to smoking.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tamara L. Butler, Natasha Lee, Kate Anderson, Julia M. L. Brotherton, Joan Cunningham, John R. Condon, Gail Garvey, Allison Tong, Suzanne P. Moore, Clare M. Maher, Jacqueline K. Mein, Eloise F. Warren, Lisa J. Whop
Summary: This study reveals the underestimation of cervical screening among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia. Through discussions with under-screened women, it was found that they believed the risks of cervical screening outweighed the benefits, due to distress, lack of privacy and control, complicated relationships with healthcare providers, and culturally unsafe communication. The study also found that one third of under-screened women who participated in the research underwent screening within a short period of time, indicating that enhancing privacy, implementing trauma-informed healthcare approaches, and focusing on the dynamics of the clinician-client relationship can increase women's participation in cervical screening.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Trent Pattenden, Dhanika Samaranayake, Andrew Morton, Isaac Thangasamy
Summary: Bladder cancer is the third most common urological malignancy in Australia, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a higher prevalence, younger age of diagnosis, and lower survival rates compared to the general population.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mandy Gibson, Jaimee Stuart, Stuart Leske, Raelene Ward, Robert Tanton
Summary: The study examined the associations between community cultural connectedness indicators and suicide mortality rates for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland. It found that suicide rates were influenced by culturally specific risk and protective factors at the community level, suggesting that increasing community cultural connectedness and reducing discrimination could help reduce suicide rates.
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Fiona H. McKay, Stephanie L. Godrich
Summary: This review highlights the disproportionate impact of food insecurity on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Interventions focused on behavior change projects, education programs, and gardening initiatives, but more systematic consideration of factors shaping food insecurity is needed for lasting impact. Ongoing involvement of the indigenous communities is essential for sustained interventions to promote food security.
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY NUTRITION AND METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alison Brown, Tilahun Haregu, Graham Gee, Fiona Mensah, Lea Waters, Stephanie J. Brown, Jan M. Nicholson, Kelsey Hegarty, Darren Smith, Sue D'Amico, Rebecca Ritte, Yin Paradies, Gregory Armstrong
Summary: Little is known about the wellbeing and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in social housing. Most respondents in the survey demonstrated a strong sense of identity and connection to family, but also reported various health issues and barriers to employment. Improving health and wellbeing was the most cited aspiration.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Connie Henson, Felicity Chapman, Gina Shepherd, Bronwyn Carlson, Josephine Y. Chau, Josephine Gwynn, Deb McCowen, Boe Rambaldini, Katrina Ward, Kylie Gwynne
Summary: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are using digital health technologies to acquire and share health information and are interested in using apps and wearables for health management. Co-designed research enables a better understanding of diverse needs for different cohorts and informs culturally responsible design. Broader use of co-design will foster effective user-focused digital health communication and health management.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sarah C. Bourke, Janet Chapman, Roxanne Jones, Makayla-May Brinckley, Katherine A. Thurber, Bianca Calabria, Kate Doery, Anna Olsen, Raymond Lovett
Summary: Culture is foundational to health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but has rarely been explored in depth by epidemiological research. The Mayi Kuwayu study developed a new survey tool based on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perceptions of health and wellbeing, identifying key cultural domains through community consultations. Further assessment of the processes used and psychometric testing of the cultural items developed will be conducted in future research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR EQUITY IN HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Nursing
Mikaela Hopkins, Shahla Meedya, Rowena Ivers, Karen Charlton
Summary: The study evaluated online breastfeeding information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia, finding that some websites had high accuracy and quality, but few had culturally appropriate design features. Further research is needed to design online platforms that take into account cultural principles, beliefs, and values for women from different cultural backgrounds.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maria Karidakis
Summary: The study explores ways to enhance interpreting practice in healthcare settings for better communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Findings suggest the importance of understanding and addressing cultural differences, explaining medical terminology in tangible terms, using culturally appropriate language for taboo topics, and being mindful of nonverbal communication cues.
QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ebony Verbunt, Joanne Luke, Yin Paradies, Muriel Bamblett, Connie Salamone, Amanda Jones, Margaret Kelaher
Summary: The existing literature highlights the positive impact of family/community, Country and place, cultural identity, and self-determination on the health and wellbeing outcomes of Aboriginal peoples. Factors such as self-determination and connection to culture and community-controlled organizations are crucial for increasing Aboriginal resilience and resistance, and improving health and wellbeing outcomes. Further research is needed to develop an Indigenous-led evidence-base and understand the causal pathways of cultural determinants of health.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR EQUITY IN HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Michelle Kennedy, Amanual Getnet Mersha, Raglan Maddox, Catherine Chamberlain, Sian Maidment, Peter O'Mara, Cathy Segan, Marina Hunt, Kerindy Clarke, Belinda Donaldson, Billie Bonevski
Summary: This study aims to understand the feasibility and effectiveness of providing free smoking cessation support materials by mail to Indigenous peoples. The findings will inform future larger-scale trials.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Rosalie Schultz
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2018)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rosalie Schultz, Tammy Abbott, Jessica Yamaguchi, Sheree Cairney
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2018)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rosalie Schultz, Tammy Abbott, Jessica Yamaguchi, Sheree Cairney
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Rosalie Schultz
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2019)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rosalie Schultz, Stephen Quinn, Byron Wilson, Tammy Abbott, Sheree Cairney
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2019)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Rosalie Schultz
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2021)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Rosalie Schultz
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rosalie Schultz, Tammy Abbott, Jessica Yamaguchi, Sheree Cairney
HEALTH PROMOTION JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2018)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Rosalie Schultz
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2018)
