Cherbourg injury prevention and safety promotion project

• Reach:

  QLD

• Focus area:

  Indigenous

• Status:

  Current

• Evaluated:

  No

Overview

This project aims to reduce injuries and health problems caused by environmental factors in the Indigenous community of Cherbourg, Queensland. The project has a focus on unintentional injury and safety promotion and the key aspect of this project is that it is born of, and driven by, the Cherbourg community.

The project has identified five key areas for local action. These are:

• environment
• housing
• children
• road safety
• substance use (alcohol, drugs and tobacco).

Examples of activities that have been put in place as part of the project are:

• waste management activities
  • waste removal services and community bins, recycling program, anti litter campaign, research project about glass as a source of injury
• animal management activities
  • Livestock Management Plan, 2.5 kilometre livestock fence, dog pound, animal registration
• road safety measures
  • road signage and zebra crossings to enable the enforcement of speed limits and safe crossing areas for adults and children
• data collection measures
  • introduction of injury data collection forms at the hospital and school.

The strategies and outcomes of the project are being documented so that they can be transferred to other Indigenous communities in Australia.

The project commenced in 2008 and is funded for five years by Queensland Health. The Centre for Rural and Remote Area Health (CRRAH) from the University of Southern Queensland is monitoring and evaluating the project.

This project was named a finalist in the 2012 Excellence in Indigenous Health Awards in the environmental health category.

Abstract adapted from Cherbourg injury prevention and safety promotion project

Contacts

Richard Henshaw
Health Promotion Officer
Queensland Health
PO Box 1775
Toowoomba Qld 4350
Ph: (07) 4631 9860
Email: Richard_henshaw@health.qld.gov.au

Andrew Beckett
Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council
Ph: (07) 4168 1866

Related publications

Henshaw RJ (2011)

Broken glass as an injury hazard in the Indigenous community of Cherbourg.

Master of Health thesis, University of Southern Queensland:

• Links
• View abstract: Broken glass as an injury hazard in the Indigenous community of Cherbourg
• View thesis: Broken glass as an injury hazard in the Indigenous community of Cherbourg (PDF - 2.7 MB)

Eley R, Beckett A, Henshaw R, Gorman D, Evans M, Carswell P (2011)

Injury prevention and safety promotion in the Aboriginal community of Cherbourg.

Paper presented at the 11th National Rural Health Conference. 3-16 March 2011, Perth Convention Centre

• Links
• View conference presentation: Injury prevention and safety promotion in the Aboriginal community of Cherbourg (PDF - 168.0 KB)
• View information: Injury prevention and safety promotion in the Aboriginal community of Cherbourg
• View website: 11th National Rural Health Conference

Henshaw R, Eley R, Gorman D (2011)

Broken glass as an injury hazard in an Indigenous community.

Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal; 35(4): 18-21,26

• Links
• View abstract: Broken glass as an injury hazard in an Indigenous community
• View article: Broken glass as an injury hazard in an Indigenous community (PDF - 207.7 KB)
• View website: Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal

Links

• View abstract: Remote and Indigenous communities clean up program
• View website: Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council
• View website: Excellence in Indigenous Health Awards