Aboriginal Cancer Research Grants

Grantee: Strong Spirit Aboriginal Services - Mrs Jessica Morris 

Amount: $333,069

Project: Strength in Motion: Enhancing cancer prevention and living well after a cancer diagnosis through Aboriginal-led and co-designed lifestyle and health literacy community programs

The overall aim of our project to co-develop, pilot and evaluate two community programs that embed exercise, diet and health literacy, using Indigenous methods and Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing, into cancer prevention and survivorship.

The two programs will focus on:

1. cancer prevention
2. enhancing cancer survivorship to empower participants to improve health outcomes in Aboriginal communities along the Mid North Coast of NSW, particularly Port Macquarie, Kempsey, and Coffs Harbour. The programs will be developed and evaluated using Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing in close partnership with Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal researchers.

In the initial stage of this project, we embedded Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing with contemporary health translation, and created a culturally responsive environment that empowers community members to take charge of their health.

In stage two of this project, we will use this holistic approach to foster active participation in physical activities and informed health choices, contributing to a stronger, healthier Aboriginal community. We will implement two community programs during this stage:

1. Move, Thrive, Prevent – A cancer prevention program of exercise, diet, and education to prevent the risk of cancer risk.
2. Journey Together, Move Together – A survivorship program of exercise, diet, and education to support well-being after a cancer diagnosis.

Grantee: University of New South Wales - Associate Professor Julieann Coombes

Amount: $332,285.90

Project: Culturally Safe Cancer Care Model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Patients​

Our project aims to evaluate a culturally safe cancer care model tailored for and by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Cancer Services at South-West Sydney LHD New South Wales. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience significant barriers when accessing cancer care, leading to poorer outcomes compared to the general population. Factors such as culturally unsafe healthcare environments, communication issues, and a lack of trust in medical services contribute to this gap.

To address these challenges, our project will embed Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) within the Cancer Services multidisciplinary team. The AHW worker will play a critical role in providing culturally appropriate support, navigating services, and ensuring that care is patient-centred and respectful of cultural values. Additionally, the AHW will deliver a comprehensive cultural safety and capabilities training program for healthcare professionals involved in cancer treatment, ensuring they are better equipped to provide care that is respectful and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

The project will assess the impact of this model on cancer care experiences, patient outcomes, and the confidence of healthcare teams in delivering culturally safe care. Ultimately, the evidence generated will help inform changes in the cancer care system, leading to improved access, experiences, and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. By fostering trust and collaboration, this initiative will contribute to reducing the cancer care gap and advancing health equity.