Women’s heart health

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Heart Heath and Wellbeing Program

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have many roles within their communities, as carers, nurturers, teachers and leaders. Heart disease impacts women’s ability to fulfill these roles.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Heart Health and Wellbeing Program, led by Dr Katharine Brown, works alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women as we explore what keeps the heart strong and what makes the heart sick, and share the way health care services are provided. This includes the cultural, spiritual, emotional, social, behavioural and physical drivers of heart health.

Priority setting by communities is what drives this research. Communities have expressed it is important to keep the hearts of the next generation strong. We want to be able to tell stories about what keeps the heart strong to support women and health care professionals in caring for women’s health.

Aboriginal women working to reduce risk of diabetes and cardiovascular complications in pregnancy

Experiencing diabetes and high blood pressure during and following pregnancy can have short and long-term health effects on mother and baby. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience high burden of these complications during pregnancy. There is limited awareness of the potential effect of these pregnancy complications on short and long-term health. This often results in care that does not meet the needs of women and their babies.

This project brings Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s knowledge of health and wellbeing and priorities to develop and evaluate a model of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in South Australia (SA) with cardiometabolic (diabetes and heart) complications of pregnancy. The model will seek to develop a system that provides care, support and knowledge to Aboriginal women and those who provide health care to these women. Applying a strength-based approach to cardiometabolic health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with personal and/or professional experience of cardiometabolic complications of pregnancy will design the model. Evaluation of resources will be undertaken by women and health professionals and existing partnerships will enable the model to be built into existing services and systems.

“This project will harness the strength of our communities to reshape care for pregnancy-related health challenges that can lead to ongoing health challenges for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families. By working together we’re forging a path to better care, ensuring our women receive the support they deserve, laying the foundation for stronger generations to come.”

Kim Morey, Co-theme Leader SAHMRI Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity theme and Executive, Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium.

Read more about this study

Become involved

We are seeking women to be involved in designing the model of care:

• Aboriginal women with personal experience of diabetes during pregnancy and/or heart complications during pregnancy.

OR

• Aboriginal women with professional experience working within the health system in the last 12 months, providing care for women with diabetes during pregnancy and/or heart complications during pregnancy.

Women must:

• Be aged 18 years and over,
• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and
• Currently live in South Australia.

Benefits of participation:

• Aboriginal women-led space.
• Travel arrangements covered.
• Financial support for your employer or payment to you.

 Register here to participate in design workshops to develop the model of care