New research funding paves the way for health equity among First Nations communities

Medical: In a significant step towards addressing health inequities, MTPConnect and the Lowitja Institute have jointly released a discussion paper, providing a roadmap for research funding programs that prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.

The paper draws on the extensive needs assessment and prioritisation work conducted for the third funding round of MTPConnect’s Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) program. This particular initiative focuses on finding innovative solutions to combat diabetes and cardiovascular disease within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. By partnering with the Lowitja Institute, an organisation renowned for its commitment to community engagement, the project ensures that the voices and concerns of these communities are at the heart of the decision-making process.

Stuart Dignam, CEO of MTPConnect, emphasised the importance of the research findings captured in the discussion paper, stating that they serve as a vital resource for health research and contribute to the elevation of First Nations science. Mr Dignam highlighted the alarming health disparities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who experience diabetes and cardiovascular disease at rates up to four times higher than the wider population. He further explained that the TTRA research project was specifically designed to allocate substantial funding and effort to address these stark inequities, with the Lowitja Institute leading the priority-setting due to their expertise and close connections with the affected Indigenous communities.

“The discussion paper not only sheds light on the unmet needs in diabetes and cardiovascular disease for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples but also provides a framework for determining Indigenous-specific priorities in other areas of research,” said Mr Dignam. The document serves as a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers alike, empowering them to make a tangible difference in the lives of Indigenous communities.

Janine Mohamed, CEO of the Lowitja Institute, stressed the critical significance of Indigenous-led priority setting in health research funding and how the discussion paper will drive change. She emphasised that research should not be done on or for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples but should instead be conducted with and by them. Ms Mohamed commended the ongoing commitment of the Lowitja Institute and its collaboration with MTPConnect, both of which share a common goal of embedding Indigenous leadership and ensuring a lasting positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Projects selected from TTRA Round 3 will be closely aligned with the identified priority areas, integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, and demonstrating substantial potential to improve the health and wellbeing of these communities.

The discussion paper concludes with an encouraging message, affirming that an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led, evidence-based approach to identifying and assessing priorities is attainable. Such an approach ensures that the input and leadership from Indigenous researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and thought leaders are fully integrated, ultimately elevating the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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