The first Aboriginal health practitioners to join WA Health have been posted to Rockingham Hospital, starting a roll-out across the public health system.
The two AHPs support Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people who present to Rockingham’s ED with acute and urgent illness and injury, providing clinical and primary healthcare, as well as case management and care planning.
The appointments are a recommendation of the Sustainable Health Review, with $3.6 million committed to establish the role in WA, an investment supported by a State-wide consultation process led by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer.
AHPs are now nationally accredited and registered with the AHPRA, and WA Health is working closely with Aboriginal community-controlled health services and Aboriginal registered training organisations to increase their numbers in the workforce.
New Aboriginal youth mental health campaign
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 12-25 years will be supported by a new State-based campaign to improve and maintain their mental wellbeing, and to help prevent the use of alcohol and other drugs: ‘Stronger You, Stronger Mob’.
The series of ads will run across social media, on radio, and on billboards, posters, and public transport until June 2024, and include messages encouraging young Aboriginal people to visit Country, take part in cultural celebrations, get involved in community activities such as sport, learn the traditional ways, and stay connected with family and friends.
The campaign was developed by the Mental Health Commission’s Strong Spirit Strong Mind Youth Project (SSSMYP) team.
ECU launches HPV campaign
As part of the four-year National Health and Medical Research Council 2022 Ideas Grant, ECU’s Associate Professor Natalie Strobel is set to launch the TikTok-centric ‘Our Business’ campaign – alongside Australia’s most respected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander TikTok personalities.
The Australian designed vaccination is set to make the nation ‘cervical cancer free’ by 2030, yet data shows that many young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people do not receive their HPV vaccine, resulting in missed opportunities to be protected from HPV-related cancers.
With consultation from triple j’s Nooky, influencers including Meissa Mason, Outback Tom from the ABC and Ian Zaro from Black Comedy have participated in making short form videos, images, and messaging set to be released throughout the school year.
The campaign branding and strategy itself combined the efforts of ECU’s Professor Dan McAullay and experts from Curtin University, Aboriginal Health Council of WA, North Metropolitan Health Service, and a team of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children – who gave the final approval on messaging, artwork and how the campaign should look and feel.
The vaccination is targeted to young people aged 12-25 years old and Professor McAullay explained that research suggested the starting point for the fully digital campaign should be video sharing app TikTok, where First Nations creators have built a strong, culturally aware community.