Aboriginal Families Study: closing the gap in Indigenous maternal and child healht outcomes

The Aboriginal Families Study is a research study that has been developed in collaboration with the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia based on statewide consultations with Aboriginal communities and policy makers in South Australia.

The study aims to collect population level data documenting:

• women's experiences of services during pregnancy, childbirth and the first few months postpartum.
• the social health of Aboriginal women and their families during and after pregnancy.

Funding: NHMRC Project Grant 2011 - 2014, $950,984

Investigators: Emeritus Professor Jeffery Robinson together with researchers A/Professor Stephanie Brown; Dr Jane Yelland; Ms Karen Glover; Mr Alwin Chong; Professor Jonathan Newbury; A/Professor Fiona Arney and Dr Georgina Stamp

South Australian Aboriginal Birthing Program Evaluation

The aim of this project is to evaluate the Aboriginal Birthing Program (ABP) in South Australia and provide a report to the Women's and Children's Health Network which includes recommendations for the ongoing operation and sustainability of the Program.

The evaluation is vital for the ongoing operation and sustainability of the ABP in SA. The evaluation report will detail where the program is working well in meeting the stated intent of the program and highlight recommendations to strengthen the program activities where further work is needed.

The ongoing operation and sustainability of the ABP is important in reducing risk in pregnancy for Aboriginal women.

All ABP sites within South Australia will be invited to participate in the evaluation. The evaluation will involve key stakeholders including health professionals and women accessing the service being interviewed about their involvement in the ABP.

Funding: Women's and Children's Health Network 2012, $125,000.

This is a collaborative project between ARCH and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.
Evaluation Team: Philippa Middleton, A/Professor Stephanie Brown, Karen Glover, Tanya Bubner, Dr Alice Rumbold, Professor Caroline Crowther, Dr Thach Son Tran and Jessica Reid.