Aboriginal Health
Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Unit at SAHMRI: Key Translation Activities
Over the past 18 months three plans have been developed that focus on improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in South Australia. These plans now provide a strong platform for action across South Australia. The SA Aboriginal Heart and Stroke Plan and the South Australian Aboriginal Diabetes Strategy were commissioned by SA Health and developed by the Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Unit at SAHMRI. The third plan, the SA Aboriginal Cancer Control plan, was developed by SA health in collaboration with the Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Unit at SAHMRI.
The SA Aboriginal Heart and Stroke Plan
The SA Aboriginal Heart and Stroke Plan 2017-2021 was developed by the Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Unit, SAHMRI, for SA Health in collaboration with many key stakeholders. The project resulted in three distinct documents which were delivered to SA Health:
- The SA Aboriginal Cardiovascular Disease Profile 2016,
- The SA Aboriginal Heart and Stroke Gap Analysis,
- The SA Aboriginal Heart and Stroke Plan 2017-2021
The purpose of the Plan is to guide the delivery of evidence-based services for the prevention and management of those at risk of, and with, heart disease and stroke in South Australia. The development of the Plan reflects South Australia's response to the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council project "Better Cardiac Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples".
The Plan provides a road map for service providers across South Australia to improve the cardiovascular outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living and receiving cardiovascular care in this state. It recognises the importance of a coordinated, multi-pronged, culturally inclusive approach.
The implementation of this Plan has the potential to make real and lasting improvements to help close the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
Contact: wendy.keech@sahmri.com for more information about the plan.
The South Australian Aboriginal Diabetes Strategy 2017 – 2021
This South Australian Aboriginal Diabetes Strategy 2017 – 2021 was developed following extensive consultation with Aboriginal Leaders and organisational stakeholders by the Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Unit, SAHMRI, with funding from SA Health.
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is significantly greater in the Aboriginal population compared to the non-Aboriginal population. Type 2 diabetes remains a leading cause of disability and premature death for Aboriginal people in South Australia; reducing the impact of the condition is a joint priority of the Aboriginal community and health organisations.
The Strategy provides a clear vision for a collaborative South Australian health system response to reduce the impact of type 2 diabetes among the Aboriginal population over the next five years and provides the framework for collaborative efforts to reduce the incidence of, and morbidity and mortality from, diabetes and its associated complications.
This vision is supported by six high-level goals with each goal containing recommendations for action and suggested pathways to achieve. The goals align with the National Diabetes Strategy and the recommendations and pathways were directly informed by consultations with the Aboriginal community and key stakeholders, along with the South Australian evidence collected for the development of this Strategy.
The Strategy provides an opportunity to better coordinate health resources for diabetes prevention and management across all levels of government and to focus these resources where they are needed most.
Contact - Odette.Gibson@sahmri.com for more information about the strategy.