Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

18/07/2025

We're proud to celebrate Poche Centre researcher and PhD candidate Victoria Sinka's groundbreaking work in Indigenous health promotion. As a proud Pitjantjatjara woman, Victoria is passionately engaged in bridging community knowledge and academic rigor to tackle chronic kidney disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Her story shines a light on her leadership within the ARDAC Kidney Health Study and her commitment to fostering cross cultural collaboration and wellness. Read more in Sydney Spotlight here:

10/07/2025

🌱Indigenous Youth Perspectives on Chronic Disease Prevention🌱

A systematic review led by Poche Centre researcher Victoria Sinka explored the perspectives of young Indigenous people on chronic disease prevention programs. Findings from 13 qualitative studies across Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA revealed four key themes as being important to Indigenous youth (ages 10–24) in chronic disease prevention:
🔸Safeguarding food sovereignty
🔸 Empowering emerging leaders through transfer of traditional wisdom and knowledge
🔸 Integrating culture into health initiatives
🔸 Addressing challenges such as disengagement

📖 Read the full study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X2500151X?via%3Dihub

19/06/2025

🌿Lowitja Conference on Kaurna Country 🌿
The Lowitja Conference, held on the beautiful lands of the Kaurna people, has been an inspiring journey for the Poche Centre team. It was truly special hearing from Donnella Mills and Deb Edwards during the opening address. Their powerful words set the tone for a deeply meaningful and transformative few days. Grateful to be part of this space that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, leadership, and knowledge. Stay tuned to hear more from us about the conference.✨

11/06/2025

| Improving Health Checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
A recent evidence mapping review published in Health Research Policy and Systems explores what drives or hinders the implementation of health checks (HCs) aimed at preventing and detecting chronic diseases among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australian primary health care (PHC).
🧠 Key Insights:
Barriers to HCs include resource constraints, physical space constraints, cultural insensitivity, and fear of stigma or confidentiality breach.
Enablers include strong clinical leadership, culturally competent staff, community engagement, digital systems (e.g. electronic records), transport provision, and flexible scheduling.
Community voice matters: Trust, cultural safety, and holistic care are essential for meaningful uptake.
Policy recommendations call for better funding, streamlined Medicare processes, and co-designed health promotion initiatives.
Link to full article: https://health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12961-025-01325-9

Background Chronic disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. A comprehensive health assessment is available as an annual health check (HC) to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the Medicare Benefits Sc...

06/06/2025

In partnership with the Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, we are hosting a 4-day immersive workshop (July 28–31, 2025) focused on systems thinking, group model building (GMB), and systems mapping using STICKE. This workshop is a unique opportunity for those working in health and community sectors to build practical skills while engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on health and wellbeing. It will benefit individuals and teams working on community-based projects, strategy, policy, and systems change. The workshop will be co-facilitated by Dr Andrew Brown and Dr Simone Sherriff. Please see below for further details and to register.

04/06/2025

🧠 | Strengthening Intergenerational Conversations on Sexual Health in Aboriginal Communities

A new study explores Aboriginal adults' views on discussing s*xual health with young people.
This strengths-based research amplifies the voices of Aboriginal adults who reflect on the cultural importance and challenges of talking with young people about s*x, relationships, and wellbeing. Key insights include:
🔹 Yarning as a cultural strength: Intergenerational dialogue is seen as a vital practice for supporting youth s*xual health.
🔹 Barriers to open communication: Shame, stigma, and generational gaps often hinder these conversations.
🔹 Community-driven solutions: Participants call for holistic, non-judgemental, and culturally grounded approaches to foster open dialogue and collective care.
This work is a powerful reminder of the value of listening to community voices and centering Indigenous knowledge in health promotion.
Read paper here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14681811.2025.2510288

*xualhealth

This strengths-based study investigated Aboriginal adults’ views on young people’s s*xual health, attitudes and relationships. Between 2019 and 2020, sixteen interviews were conducted with adults a...

26/05/2025

to join us this week for Journal Club. Dr Jack DeLacy will be presenting his work on ear health and hearing outcomes among urban Aboriginal children. Read publication here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052524?via%3Dihub
Register for the event: https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-the-poche-centre-for-indigenous-health-journal-club

Join us for our June Journal Club facilitated by Poche Centre Research Fellow Dr Smriti Nepal. This is a hybrid event.

23/05/2025

Professor Michelle Dickson’s journey — from being the first in her family to finish school to becoming a professor and national research leader — is a powerful example of the ripple effect of education and representation. She continues to advocate for embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge in health policy, research, and practice. Read more about her journey and the development of the pioneering "What Matters 2 Adults (WM2A)" well-being measure: https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2025/05/16/amplifying-first-nations-voices.html

As Director of the University’s Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Professor Michelle Dickson is at the forefront of addressing the gap in culturally appropriate mental health support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

21/05/2025

This month marks one year since Associate Professor Simon Graham joined us at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, and we’re proud to celebrate his contributions and leadership over the past 12 months. Simon, a Narungga man from South Australia, brings a wealth of experience in public health research, with expertise spanning s*xually transmitted infections, COVID-19 and health service access. His global perspective, shaped by six years at academic institutions, community organisations and the United Nations in New York, London, Vancouver, Berlin, and Bangkok, has enriched our work and thinking. In addition to his role at the Poche Centre, Simon also serves as a senior editor for Lowitja Institute’s First Nations Health and Wellbeing Journal, continuing to advocate for and amplify Indigenous health research and voices. We're grateful for Simon's insight, dedication, and the energy he brings to our team at the Poche Centre. 👏

13/05/2025

Join our Journal Club on 28 May, between 10-11AM (AEST). Poche Centre Research Fellow Dr Jack DeLacy will be presenting his work on ear health and hearing outcomes among urban Aboriginal children. He will present an overview of the publication 'Ear health and hearing in urban Aboriginal children' and discuss his PhD research on the co-creation of a community-led and holistic model of care for ear health and hearing in Aboriginal children. Read the publication here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052524?via%3Dihub

To register for this hybrid event click the following link: https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-the-poche-centre-for-indigenous-health-journal-club

Join us for our June Journal Club facilitated by Poche Centre Research Fellow Dr Smriti Nepal. This is a hybrid event.

06/05/2025

The George Institute invites you to the newest webinar in the Connecting Hearts & Minds 2025 series!

Date: Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Presenters: Paul Hussein & Dr. Poornima Ramamurthy

Join us for an inspiring session where Paul Hussein and Dr. Poornima Ramamurthy from Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services, will share their insights on building meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services.

📲👉🏽 Register here: https://georgehub.zoom.us/j/83432259548

30/04/2025

In response to the recent attack on public health globally, Sydney School of Public Health has affirmed its committment to promote and protect health. In a recent statement they have acknowleged Australia's history of leading innovations in public health research. Along with this, the statement also acknowledges that this time can be used to strengthen public health work, including recognising the role of public health in the mistreatment of and discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Read the full statement here:

At the Sydney School of Public Health, our vision is to promote and protect health equity and wellbeing for all populations and the environments we share, nationally and globally.