YEAR

2021-2025

PROJECT STATUS

Active.

ETHICS APPROVAL

The Western Australian Aboriginal Health Ethics Committee (WAAHEC) has approved this research project (HREC1117) along with the Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (HRE2021-0744).

CHIEF INVESTIGATORS

Dr Roanna Lobo (Curtin University), Dr Gemma Crawford (Curtin University), Dr Jacqui Hendriks (Curtin University), Dr Linda Portsmouth (Curtin University), Prof Rosa Alati (Curtin University), Ms Jude Bevan (WA Department of Health), Ms Francine Eades (Metropolitan Communicable Disease Control), Prof Sandra Eades (University of Melbourne), Dr Richelle Douglas (Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation), Mr Alvin Edney (Derbal Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation).

ABORIGINAL ADVISORY GROUP

Dr Mick Adams

Mr Anthony Kickett

Ms Ursula Swan

Dr Michelle Webb

Additional members welcome, please contact Dr Roanna Lobo for more information.

CURTIN PROJECT STAFF

Dr Roanna Lobo, Dr Belinda D'Costa, Dr Gemma Crawford, Dr Jacqui Hendriks, Dr Linda Portsmouth, Ms Roisin Glasgow-Collins

CO-DESIGN WORKING GROUP 

  • Aboriginal Health Council of WA
  • HepatitisWA
  • Peer Based Harm Reduction WA
  • Royal Perth Hospital
  • WAAC (formerly WA AIDS Council)
  • Western Australian Department of Health, Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program
  • Western Australian Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies
  • Wungening Aboriginal Corporation


BRIEF OVERVIEW

Using a strengths-based participatory action research (PAR) framework, the Healthy Blood, Healthy Body research project (formerly the Aboriginal consumer-led strategies to reduce harms from illicit drug use project) will seek to increase access to needle and syringe programs (NSPs) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who inject drugs in the Perth metropolitan area to reduce the harms associated with injecting drug use. A comprehensive suite of five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumer-led and co-designed interventions will be trialled incorporating educational, environmental, behavioural, and policy strategies. Interventions will include: 1) a community education and awareness campaign about harm reduction, 2) a peer referral pilot program for accessing NSPs, 3) a framework for a holistic and integrated service model, 4) increasing the cultural security of NSPs, and 5) increased NSP service availability for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers. An Aboriginal Advisory Group and a Co-Design Working Group, established during the Healthway exploratory research project (see Increasing Aboriginal Peoples' Use of Services that Reduce Harm from Illicit Drugs), will guide the project activities.

FUNDING 

This research is supported by funding from a Healthway Health Promotion Intervention Research Grant.

PROJECT WEBSITE

www.hb2.org

CONTACT

Dr Roanna Lobo, Principal Investigator

E: roanna.lobo@curtin.edu.au

P: (08) 9266 1101.