Koolungar (Children) Moorditj (Strong) Healthy Skin

Investigators and research team

Investigators:

A/Prof Asha Bowen

Dr Bernadette Ricciardo

(Dr) Uncle Noel Nannup

Aunty Dale Tilbrook

Prof Jonathan Carapetis

Dr Richelle Douglas

A/Prof Brad Farrant

Dr Heather-Lynn Kessaris

Clin Prof Prasad Kumarasinghe

Dr Janessa Pickering

Dr Hannah Thomas

Ms Ellesha Gale

Research Team Members:

Ainslie Poore – Senior Project Officer

Jacinta Walton – Aboriginal Project Officer

Eloise Delaney – Research Assistant

Alexandra Whelan – Program Manager

Taleah Ugle – Student

Nadia Rind – Aboriginal Health Practitioner (DYHS)

Lorraine Hansen – Aboriginal Health Practitioner (DYHS)

Ellesha Gale – Aboriginal Health Practitioner (SWAMS)

Brenda Carter – Aboriginal Health Practitioner (SWAMS)

Project description

GUIDING PRINCIPLES: RESPECT, RECIPROCITY, CAPACITY BUILDING, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

In partnership with Aboriginal Elders, Aboriginal community members, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOS), the Koolungar (children) Moorditj (strong) Healthy Skin project is the first ever co-designed research-service Australian study to describe skin health in urban-living Aboriginal koolungar. 

Healthy skin is important for overall health and well-being, however, up until recently only little was known about skin health in urban-living Aboriginal koolungar in Australia. Having identified this knowledge gap, the Healthy Skin team consulted extensively with a team of Aboriginal Elders on Noongar Boodjar (land/place) to discuss the interest, scope, and importance of an urban-specific healthy skin project. From here two Elders, Aunty Dale Tilbrook and Uncle Noel Nannup joined the research team as investigators and Elder researchers; providing strong cultural governance and oversight in the design and process of the project to align respectfully with Aboriginal values. 

Prioritised by Aboriginal voices, the three main objectives of the project are:

1.    To understand more about skin health in urban-living Aboriginal koolungar in WA, to inform dermatology services, treatment recommendations and educational resources.
2.    To embed an evidence-based dermatology research-service program.
3.    To develop and evaluate culturally appropriate moorditj healthy skin educational resources.

In partnership with urban ACCHOs, Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service (DYHS) on Whadjuk boodjar (Perth region) and the South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) on Wardandi boodjar (Bunbury region), a research-service program was established, facilitating monthly paediatric dermatology clinics and three week-long community skin screening events in a culturally secure setting. 

Two Community Advisory Groups (CAG) were formed, one representing Wardandi boodjar and one representing Whadjuk boodjar. Their role being to provide local leadership, direction, and cultural guidance on the project; and to lead development of culturally appropriate health promotion resources on moorditj healthy skin.

The results of this project have led to improved dermatology service provision, a suite of culturally appropriate health literacy and health promotion resources, and informed the second edition of the National Healthy Skin Guidelines to include urban-specific recommendations.

Partners

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service (DYHS)

South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS)

Funders

This project is generously funded by: Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Seed Funding and Capacity Building Grants, Channel 7 Telethon Trust Grant and Western Australian Future Health Research & Innovation Fund.

Dr Ricciardo is the recipient of an Australian Government Research Training Program Fees Offset and WCVID Top-up Scholarship. The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council provides PhD scholarship funding for Dr Ricciardo (GNT2014208), and Investigator Awards for A/Prof Bowen (GNT1175509) and Prof Carapetis (GNT1173874).

Products supporting skin health have been kindly donated by Cancer Council WA, City of Fremantle, City of Stirling, South West Sports Centre, Maali Mia Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Priceline Pharmacy, LaRoche Posay and Ego Pharmaceuticals.