Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
New South Wales Public Health Bulletin New South Wales Public Health Bulletin Society
Supporting public health practice in New South Wales
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Building a strategic approach to improve Aboriginal health research and evaluation in NSW

Jessica Stewart A D , Carmen Parter B and Louise Maher C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health

B Centre for Aboriginal Health, NSW Ministry of Health

C NSW Public Health Officer Training Program, NSW Ministry of Health

D Corresponding author. Email: jstew@doh.health.nsw.gov.au

NSW Public Health Bulletin 23(4) 87-91 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB11055
Published: 13 June 2012

Abstract

A 5-year strategic plan for Aboriginal health research and evaluation has been developed to support the NSW Ministry of Health in its efforts to create the evidence for what works in addressing the health disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. The plan has the following objectives: that all Aboriginal health policies and programs are evidence informed; that programs and strategies are rigorously evaluated and contribute to building the evidence for improving Aboriginal health outcomes; that new research evidence is generated for improving Aboriginal health outcomes; and that robust monitoring and accountability mechanisms in Aboriginal health are in place, with improved data quality. This paper describes the development of the NSW Ministry of Health's Aboriginal Health Research and Evaluation Strategic Plan 2011–15, including a review of the evidence and policy documents, facilitated planning sessions, and consultation with staff within the Population and Public Health Division of the Ministry.


References

[1]  Banks G. Challenges of evidence-based policy-making: What is it? How do we get it? Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2009. Available at: http://www.pc.gov.au/speeches/cs20090204 (Cited 9 January 2012).

[2]  Population Health Division. NSW Ministry of Health. NSW Health and Medical Research Strategic Review. Discussion paper. 31 October 2011, Sydney: NSW Ministry of Health; 2011. Available at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/omr/review/ (Cited 9 January 2012).

[3]  Moore G, Todd A, Redman S. Strategies to increase the use of evidence from research in population health policy and programs: a rapid review. Sydney: NSW Department of Health; 2009.

[4]  Sanson-Fisher RW, Campbell EM, Perkins JJ, Blunden SV, Davis BB. Indigenous health research: a critical review of outputs over time. Med J Aust 2006; 184 502–5.

[5]  Paul CL, Sanson-Fisher RW, Stewart JM, Anderson AE. Being sorry is not enough. The sorry state of the evidence base for improving Indigenous health. Am J Prev Med 2010; 38 566–8.
Being sorry is not enough. The sorry state of the evidence base for improving Indigenous health.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[6]  Council of Australian Governments. National Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes. Canberra: Council of Australian Governments; 2008.

[7]  Council of Australian Governments. National Integrated Strategy for Closing the Gap in Indigenous Disadvantage. 2009. Available at: http://www.coag.gov.au/coag_meeting_outcomes/2009-07-02/docs/NIS_closing_the_gap.pdf (Cited 9 January 2012).

[8]  Health NSW. Promoting the generation and effective use of population health research in NSW. A Strategy for NSW Health 2011–2015. Sydney: NSW Department of Health; 2010.

[9]  Council of Australian Governments. National Indigenous Reform Agreement. Canberra: Council of Australian Governments; 2008.

[10]  Mercer SL, DeVinney BJ, Fine LJ, Green LW, Dougherty D. Study designs for effectiveness and translation research: identifying trade-offs. Am J Prev Med 2007; 33 139–54.
Study designs for effectiveness and translation research: identifying trade-offs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[11]  Hawkins NG, Sanson-Fisher RW, Shakeshaft A, D’Este C, Green LW. The multiple baseline design for evaluating population-based research. Am J Prev Med 2007; 33 162–8.
The multiple baseline design for evaluating population-based research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[12]  Chen J. Public reporting improves healthcare. Sydney: Bureau of Health Information; 2010.

[13]  NSW Ministry of Health. Health Statistics NSW. Available at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/chorep/ (Cited 20 December 2011).

[14]  Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health performance framework report 2010. Canberra: AHMAC; 2011.

[15]  Department of Health and Ageing. OATSIH reporting reforms: overview of national key performance indicators (nKPIs) Fact Sheet. Canberra: Australian Government; 2011.

[16]  Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision. Report. Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage: key indicators 2011. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia Productivity Commission; 2011.

[17]  Lomas J. The in-between world of knowledge brokering. BMJ 2007; 334 129–32.
The in-between world of knowledge brokering.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[18]  McMaster Health Forum. McMaster University, Ontario, Canada. Available at: http://www.mcmasterhealthforum.ca/ (Cited 14 March 2012).

[19]  Craig P, Dieppe P, Macintyre S, Michie S, Nazareth I, Petticrew M, Medical Research Council Guidance Developing and evaluating complex interventions: the new Medical Research Council guidance. BMJ 2008; 337 a1655
Developing and evaluating complex interventions: the new Medical Research Council guidance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[20]  Population Health Division NSW Ministry of Health. NSW Health and Medical Research Strategic Review. Discussion paper, 31 October 2011. Sydney: NSW Ministry of Health: 2011.

[21]  The Lowitja Institute. Congress Lowitja 2010 Report 23 and 24 March 2010, Sydney. Available at: http://www.lowitja.org.au/files/docs/Congress2010%20Report.pdf (Cited 7 December 2011).

[22]  Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council. Road Map II. A strategic framework for improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through research. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2010.