Moorditj skin means moorditj health: Community-led research and health promotion strengthening sovereignty for skin health
Bernadette Ricciardo1,2,3,4,5,6, Jacinta Walton1, *Aboriginal Community Representative TBC* *Aboriginal Community Representative TBC*, Noel Nannup7, Dale Tilbrook8, Brad Farrant2,7, Carol Michie7, Richelle Douglas5, Jodie Ingrey6, Taleah Ugle2, Ingrid Amgarth-Duff1, Hannah Thomas1, Heather-Lynn Kessaris4, Nadia Ms5, Brenda Warner6, Ainslie Poore1, Lisa Cooper7, Shanara Quartermaine7, Sally Smith, Roni Forrest, Larissa Perry, Natasha Kickett, Melba Wallam, Annette Garlett, Kristy Jetta, Delys Walton, Joanne Hill, Asha Bowen1,2,31Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia2University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia3Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia4Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, WA, Australia5Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Aboriginal Corporation, East Perth, WA, Australia6South West Aboriginal Medical Service, Bunbury, WA, Australia7Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia8Maali Mia Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Henley Brook, WA, Australia
Abstract
Background: Guided by principles of reciprocity, capacity building, respect, and community involvement, the Elder and community-led Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin (KMHS) project, in partnership with urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, has been investigating the skin health needs of urban-living Aboriginal* koolungar (children). The team of Elders, community members, clinicians and researchers have identified a lack of culturally-appropriate health promotion resources on moorditj (good, solid, strong) skin.
Methods: Aboriginal Community Advisory Groups (CAGs) were established on Whadjuk (Perth) and Wardandi (Bunbury) boodjar (country) to provide local leadership, direction and cultural guidance on the KMHS project. Over several online and face-to-face meetings facilitated by an Aboriginal Project Officer, CAG members shared cultural knowledge and insight to develop moorditj skin health promotion resources.
Results/outcomes: The CAGs developed messaging incorporating Noongar language and culture, along with the medium for, and the dissemination of, this messaging. Simple community resources were created – a factsheet for parents and infographic and video for koolungar. Two large health promotion pieces were also produced – the “moorditj skin means moorditj health” song and music video for koolungar (4-12y), and the “Kaal tackles eczema” first-ever strengths-based eczema storybook for koolungar (4-8y).
Conclusions: The CAG-led health promotion resources incorporated the four pillars of Aboriginal culture: song, story, dance, and art; to ensure these inherent strengths of Aboriginal communities are championed. Designed by community for community, the moorditj skin resources empower individuals and families to prevent, identify, and treat skin disease; to achieve moorditj skin and moorditj health for all koolungar.
* Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are respectfully referred to as Aboriginal throughout our application.
Biography
A/Professor Asha Bowen is a Paediatric Infectious Diseases clinician-scientist and leads a large body of skin health research in partnership with healthcare workers and community. She is Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Perth Children’s Hospital, Head of the Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention team and Program Head of the End Rheumatic Heart Disease program at the Telethon Kids Institute.
Dr Bernadette Ricciardo is a practicing Dermatologist with over 10 years’ experience in the field. Dr Ricciardo is a PhD candidate on the Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin project where brings her expertise and established relationships with Elders, community advisory group members, and clinical staff to strengthen every aspect of the project. Dr Ricciardo has established and is leading the paediatric dermatology out-reach clinics at Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service and South West Aboriginal Medical Service.
Joanne is a proud Noongar and Ngadju woman with family connections throughout the Southern area of Western Australia and South Australia. Joanne has over 25 years’ experience working with the South West Indigenous and wider community, and is a highly qualified manager who is proficient at delivering successful economic and social outcomes for her community. Joanne has added value to many projects, forums, and governance committees at a local, regional, and state level and currently works as an Aboriginal Participation Manager, for one of the biggest road infrastructure projects in the South West. Joanne is a committed member of the Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin Project Wardandi Aboriginal Community Advisory Group.