About us
- What is the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet?
- How do we view health?
- What do we do?
- Where are we located?
- How are we funded?
- How did we begin?
- How do we ensure quality?
- How can you help?
- Visiting researchers and students
- Our staff
What is the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
The
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet is an innovative web
resource that makes knowledge and information on Indigenous health
easily accessible to inform practice and policy.
Our web resource is a 'one-stop info-shop' for people interested in improving the very poor health of Indigenous Australians, which was acknowledged in 2000 by the then Commonwealth Minister for Health as Australia's 'singular most spectacular failure as a nation'.
Our expanding, dynamic resource makes published, unpublished and specially-developed material about Indigenous health freely accessible to policy makers, service providers, researchers, students and the general community. By making this material accessible to people involved in the area of Indigenous health, it should greatly enhance their knowledge and skills, and improve their practice and/or policy work. For students and the general community, the knowledge accessible via our resource will improve their understanding of Indigenous health and related areas.
We also encourage and support information-sharing among practitioners, policy-makers and others working to improve Indigenous health. Our 'yarning places' (electronic networks) allow people with common interests and purposes to share information, knowledge and experience, even when they live in different States, Territories and regions, come from different sectors (such as health, education and justice) and work for different organisations. More... »
How do we view health?
We take a broad approach to Indigenous health, in line with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation's holistic view:
health is not just the physical wellbeing of an individual, but the social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing of the whole community in which each individual is able to achieve their full potential as a human being thereby bringing about the total wellbeing of their community.
As a result, we try to cover a wide range of issues of relevance to Indigenous health, many of which lie outside the direct responsibility of the health sector. These include cultural, social, historical and economic issues, as well as those relating to the physical environment. (Our coverage of many of these issues is, at present, limited, but we are working at redressing these limitations.)
What do we do?
In aiming to contribute to improving the health of Australia's Indigenous peoples by facilitating the sharing and exchange of relevant, high-quality knowledge and information, we:
- undertake research;
- provide relevant knowledge and information via the Internet;
- support information-sharing services; and
- conduct Internet training through workshops and HealthInternet cafes.
Reflecting our broad view of health, we assist the sharing of knowledge about a wide variety of issues of relevance to Indigenous health among the many potential users of this knowledge. The potential users include policy makers, health service providers, program managers, clinicians and other health professionals (including Indigenous health workers), researchers, academics and other teachers, students, and the general community.
Research
In attempting to address the needs of the variety of potential users of Indigenous health knowledge and information, we research and develop detailed overviews of specific health topics, authoritative background material about specific conditions, regularly updated overviews and summaries of Indigenous health status, and brief answers to 'frequently asked questions'. Knowledge of these types is complemented by useful information related to specific health areas. This information includes relevant policies and strategies, case studies, details of recent published and other resources, preventive and clinical guidelines, selected and general bibliographic information, and details of organisations involved in the specific area.
Providing knowledge and information via the Internet
The Internet is the main means of making our knowledge and information accessible to users. For user-friendliness, the individual sections devoted to specific health topics are being re-structured in similar ways. (Click here to view the section on Indigenous road safety.) The grouping of content is similar for most substantial sections, but the navigation of some sections has not yet been re-structured to the format used for the road safety section.
Information-sharing services
We also support yarning places (electronic networks) in specific areas of Indigenous health. Our yarning places allow people with common interests and purposes to share information, knowledge and experience, even when they live in different locations, come from different backgrounds and work for different organisations. Membership of a yarning place, which is free, provides: contact details for members (with their approval); e-yarning (an electronic board for active discussion and debate about relevant issues); and e-message stick (a list for communicating with all members by email). More... »
Workshops and HealthInternet cafés
In our efforts to support actions based on knowledge, we also work directly with Indigenous people to provide them with the skills to access Internet-based information, and so reduce the differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous in Internet access.
Internet and related training has included Internet introduction and training sessions and workshops to employees and students from a variety of Indigenous agencies and organisations.
To reach an even wider audience, the HealthInfoNet also conducts HealthInternet cafés at relevant conferences and events to introduce delegates to online services and technology that provide information on Indigenous health. Recent cafés, which are conducted in a supportive and culturally appropriate manner and pay particular attention to the needs of participants with limited computer or Internet experience, include:
- Budgeri Booroody: excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health conference (21 - 23 November 2007)
- Western Australian Aboriginal Health Promotion Conference (29 October 2007)
- Working Out What Works: 16th Western Australian Drug and Alcohol Symposium (18 - 19 September 2007)
- Discovering Indigenous Australia and launch of a Reconciliation Action Plan (11 June 2007)
- Enhancing Indigenous Capacity: Building a Sustainable Future: a national symposium on workforce development in Indigenous maternal and child health
- Launch of the Indigenous EarInfoNet(16 March 2007)
View HealthInternet cafés and workshops page
Where are we located?
We are a part of Kurongkurl Katitjin, the School of Indigenous Australian Studies at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth. Our offices are located in the new Kurongkurl Katitjin on ECU's Mt Lawley campus (about 6 kms north of the Perth CBD).
How are we funded?
Our core functions are made possible by grants (particularly from the Australian Department of Health and Ageing's Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, and Alcohol and Indigenous Programs Section).
Specific research activities are supported by funds from a variety of sources.
The training functions are supported by external grants, and Internet site development work is undertaken largely on a cost-recovery basis. To download a more detailed summary of our work, click here (PDF 43KB)
This web site does not accept advertisements.
How did we begin?
The HealthInfoNet 'began life' in September 1997 as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Clearinghouse.
Our origins, however, can be traced back to 1981, when the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies established a research fellowship to enable the collection, synthesis and dissemination of information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Our Director, Professor Neil Thomson, was appointed in May 1981 to that research fellowship, which involved two main functions:
- research (involving primary data collection and analysis, and the synthesis of a wide variety of data and other information obtained from academic, professional, government and other sources); and
- dissemination and exchange of information.
Our work in the late 1990s focused on adapting these functions to take advantage of the expanding Internet – which assisted the first function, and revolutionised the second.
Our current name – which was adopted in 2000 at the time of a major re-development of the resource – reflects the fact that our functions are well beyond those of a 'clearinghouse'. To download a more detailed summary of our work, click here (PDF 43KB)
In recent years, we have also developed mechanisms for the information-sharing between practitioners and others involved in Indigenous health. Building on the 'community of practice' concept, our yarning places (electronic networks) allow people with common interests and purposes to share information, knowledge and experience, even when they live in different States, Territories and regions, come from different sectors (such as health, education and justice) and work for different organisations. More... »
How do we ensure quality?
A major issue for any knowledge-based Internet resource – such as the HealthInfoNet – is ensuring the quality of its materials. Any individual or organisation can place material on the Internet and, unlike the case with refereed journals, users cannot be sure of the quality of material on the site.
We address quality assurance by way of:
- documented procedures for all aspects of our day-to-day operations. These procedures ensure that all materials have been subjected to quality control checks before being added to our site. The nature of the checks varies to some degree. All important content additions are checked by the Director, who has more than 25 years involvement in the development of Indigenous health information, and substantial experience in both descriptive epidemiology and editorial functions. This experience enables him to provide high levels of both technical and editorial expertise in ensuring the quality of materials added to the site.
- a network of HealthInfoNet Consultants, whose functions include peer-review of any substantial academic materials to be added to the site. Depending on the nature of the material to be added, our Consultants can also play a more direct role in the development of the material itself. An example is our development of Indigenous health policy timelines. One of our Graduate Research Assistants worked closely with one of our Consultants (Professor Ian Anderson, Director of the Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit at the University of Melbourne) in the development of these guidelines. Similar joint work is planned for the development of substantial overviews of specific health conditions. To date, around 100 senior Indigenous and non-Indigenous people have been appointed as HealthInfoNet Consultants. (As well as their peer-review role, our Consultants – who are leading experts within various areas of Indigenous health – also serve as an informal reference group by providing guidance in their individual areas of expertise and assist in the identification and collection of other materials.) View list of HealthInfoNet Consultants.
How can you help?
Our achievements to date are just the beginning – to realise fully our enormous potential, we need more support. We are working collaboratively with a number of agencies to attract grants for specific research undertakings, and also embarking on a campaign seeking sponsorship from industry and philanthropic foundations.
We would welcome also your support. Just how you can assist in our important work will depend on who you are and what you do.
If you are a politician or senior government officer, you may be able to encourage a greater level of government support, particularly from State and Territory governments. (In June 2000, 'Health is Life', a major Australian Parliamentary report, noted that the HealthInfoNet 'could play a greater role with additional financial and technical support from the Commonwealth, States and Territories. The Committee would encourage all of those jurisdictions to work with the HealthInfoNet to develop a long-term program for improved dissemination of information about all aspects of Indigenous health'). Contact us
If you work at senior levels in industry or are associated with a philanthropic foundation, you can greatly assist our work by becoming a sponsor or by providing other targeted resources. Contact us
If you are a student, you may be able to assist by working with us as part of electives and other placements. If that is not possible, you may wish to think about undertaking work with us as part of research and other projects. Both national and international students have undertaken research placements with us in the past.
If you have undertaken a major research project as part of tertiary studies (particularly doctorate and masters studies) or advanced clinical training (such as required in the later years for some medical specialties etc), we would greatly appreciate a copy of your thesis, treatise or dissertation – preferably in both hard-copy and electronic forms. Contact us
If you are an academic and other researcher, we welcome your inquiry about the possibility of joining us as part of your sabbatical or other study leave – or even for a short period as a Visiting Research Fellow. On a more immediate basis, you can assist by providing copies of relevant research and other outputs. These include hard-copy resources (such as journal articles, reports, other publications – including books and book chapters – and conference abstracts) and output in various other media – such as videos, CDs, etc. You can help also by making your students aware of our need for relevant theses and other major research reports. Contact us
If you work in Indigenous health, you can greatly assist us in the identification, and preferably collection, of relevant materials. Of particular importance are specific program materials – such as booklets, posters, videos, etc. – developed as part of health promotion or disease prevention projects. Contact us
Anyone else can still assist us – by giving feedback about our site or by making a donation. Regardless of whom you are and what you do, we welcome any support you can provide, so that we can contribute even more to improving the health of Australia's Indigenous people. Contact us
Visiting researchers and students
Our work has been assisted at times by visiting researchers and students. Their contributions have been valuable and are greatly appreciated.
Just how you can assist use in our important work will depend on who you are and what you do. Click here for information outlining how you can assist.
| Type of visitor | Institution | Area of research |
| Research Fellows | ||
| Professor Stephen Kunitz | University of Rochester Medical Center, USA | Health policy |
| Researchers | ||
| Nicole Tye |
Senior Indigenous Policy Officer on secondment from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing’s Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health | Health policy |
| Associate Professor Malcolm Vick | James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland | Road safety |
| International placements | ||
| Helen Griffiths | Medical student, University of Wales, UK | Fertility and pregnancy |
| JoAnne Panitzke | National Health Service (NHS) Management Training Scheme, UK | Health policy |
| Ethan Sims | Medical student, Emory University, USA | Hepatitis |
| Practicum students | ||
| Alberta Abreu | Health promotion student, Edith Cowan University | |
| Sharon Clews |
Health promotion student, Edith Cowan University | Literature searches and Bibliographic data entry |
| Salwa Girgis | Health promotion student, Edith Cowan University | Bibliographic data entry |
| School students | ||
| Bradley Davies | School student, Balga High School | Traditional dancing and music |
| Volunteers | ||
| Melanie Harvey | Executive Officer, FCHS International & Commercial Office, Edith Cowan University | Obesity |
| Jennifer Hill | Medical student, University of Western Australia | Tuberculosis |
| Faisal Sabih | Health promotion student, Edith Cowan University | Injuries |
Our staff
| Director | |
| Neil Thomson | Director |
| Overall direction of the HealthInfoNet | |
| Research | |
| Liaison with external agencies and key individuals | |
| Promotion of the HealthInfoNet | |
| Business Manager | |
| Pauline Shanley-Redding | Business Manager |
| Overall responsibility for the HealthInfoNet's administration | |
| Human resource management | |
| Financial management | |
| Coordination of strategic and business planning | |
| Research staff | |
| Jane Burns | Senior Research Officer |
| Overall coordination of the HealthInfoNet's research activities | |
| Major research responsibilities: Indigenous EarInfoNet (including yarning place) | |
| Development of materials for inclusion on the HealthInfoNet site | |
| Preparation of responses to information requests | |
| Promotion of the HealthInfoNet | |
| Provision of Internet training workshops | |
| Michelle Catto | Research Officer |
| Major research responsibilities: Policies and administration | |
| Development of materials for inclusion on the HealthInfoNet site | |
| Preparation of responses to information requests | |
| Identification, collection and maintenance of materials | |
| Olivier Debuyst | Research Officer |
| Development of materials for inclusion on the HealthInfoNet site | |
| Ineke Krom | Senior Research Officer |
| Major research responsibilities: Indigenous road safety, Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing | |
| Yarning place development | |
| Development of materials for inclusion on the HealthInfoNet site | |
| Identification, collection and maintenance of materials | |
| Preparation of responses to information requests | |
| Promotion of the HealthInfoNet | |
| Maintenance of bibliographic database and HealthInfoNet holdings | |
| Annemarie Paddick | Research Officer |
| Major research responsibility: Cultural ways | |
| Development of materials for inclusion on the HealthInfoNet site | |
| Preparation of responses to information requests | |
| Sasha Stumpers | Research Officer |
| Major research responsibility: WA state | |
| Development of materials for inclusion on the HealthInfoNet site | |
| Preparation of responses to information requests | |
| Belinda Urquhart | Research Officer |
| Development of materials for inclusion on the HealthInfoNet site | |
| Christine Potter | Research Officer |
| Development of materials for inclusion on the HealthInfoNet site | |
| Library technician | |
| Lawrence Rutherford | Library technician |
| Identification, collection and maintenance of materials | |
| Coordination of development of bibliographic database and HealthInfoNet holdings | |
| Development of policies and procedures to ensure HealthInfoNet holdings comply with relevant standards and requirements | |
| Preparation of responses to information requests | |
| Multimedia staff | |
| Joe Chiang | Multimedia Coordinator |
| Overall coordination of the HealthInfoNet's multimedia activities | |
| HealthInfoNet site development and maintenance | |
| External site development and maintenance | |
| Provision of training in web authoring | |
| Leah Bulloch | Multimedia Officer |
| HealthInfoNet site development and maintenance | |
| External site development and maintenance | |
| Provision of training in web authoring | |
| Administrative staff | |
| Sandra Rogers | Admin Assistant |
| Clerical and administrative services | |
| Budgetary support | |
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