A first-of-its-kind research initiative into the long-term effects of injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children has been awarded a $4.99 million grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
A joint initiative of The George Institute for Global Health's Guunu-maana (HEAL) Program and Flinders University, 'Transforming Health and Wellbeing Outcomes from Injury for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children' will explore the risk factors, protective influences, and social and cultural drivers that shape recovery.
Injury is a leading cause of death and disability among children and adolescents in Australia.1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience not only significantly higher rates of hospitalisation and death from injury, but also have worse outcomes, than children in the general population.2 Despite these disparities, there is a lack of data that reflects Indigenous perspectives and lived experiences that could inform better practice.
Drawing on data from approximately 180,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (aged 0-16) from two of Australia's largest linked data systems from South Australia and New South Wales, the study will inform culturally appropriate policies, services and prevention strategies, and contribute to national efforts to address inequities for First Nations peoples, including the Closing the Gap agreement and the National Injury Prevention Strategy.
""Injury prevention strategies rely on strong data and systems that reflect the people they're meant to help. Through our study, we are ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices guide how data is collected and used, so we can create better, more culturally appropriate ways to prevent and respond to this critical issue.
Together, we co-created a program to improve injury outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children by working alongside families, communities, and health services. At the heart of this work is community-led decision-making and cultural knowledge-guiding us to create meaningful, lasting change for our children, families, and communities.
By:Dr Julieann Coombes
Senior Research Fellow, Guunu-maana (HEAL) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program
The study will co-develop guidelines for managing injury data, and establish the first Indigenous Data Governance Framework, ensuring Indigenous knowledge guides how data is handled and used in all research related to First Nations peoples.
The project will be guided by an Aboriginal Governance Group (GovHEAL), comprising leaders from diverse backgrounds - including rural, remote, kinship care, and LGBTQI+ communities - alongside an Industry Governance Group of health and trauma experts.
The Guunu-maana (Heal) Program at The George Institute supports community-led research that reflects the strengths, priorities, and knowledge systems of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, ensuring research is culturally safe, ethical and community-driven.
Earlier this year, the Guunu-maana (Heal) program received the prestigious NHMRC Research Quality Award for its outstanding contribution to improving the quality of Australian health and medical research.
References:
1. Australia's children, Injuries - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
2. Indigenous child safety, Summary - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
