NAIDOC Week 2023 (2-9 July) provides a significant opportunity to showcase how digital health tools can support healthcare access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including reducing the need for people to travel to get the care they need, and supporting care on Country regardless of location.
The Australian Digital Health Agency (Agency), in consultation with the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), has released an in-language educational video as part of an ongoing initiative to enhance digital health literacy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities so that people can most effectively engage with their health.
The newly launched educational video offers valuable insights into the array of digital health tools available to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. It centres around the health journey of Latoya, a person living with a chronic illness, providing culturally appropriate and accessible information to the community.
Importantly, the video has been created in both Yumpla Tok, a language spoken in the Torres Strait Islands, and English.
By harnessing the power of technology, including electronic prescriptions, telehealth services and My Health Record, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the freedom to remain on Country while effectively meeting their healthcare requirements.
Amanda Cattermole PSM, CEO of the Australian Digital Health Agency, highlights the Agency's commitment to providing equitable access to health information for all Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
"Co-designing communications with Indigenous audiences is vital so that the information hits the mark. Our consultations suggest that animation is one innovative means of engaging well with Indigenous peoples, and so for this video we have presented Latoya's story in animation form," Ms Cattermole said.
"As we work on these communications products in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, we support increased digital health literacy as well."
Aligned with this year's NAIDOC Week theme, "For our Elders," the video celebrates the invaluable role played by Elders within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in passing down culture, wisdom, histories and experiences to future generations.
The video is voiced in Yumpla Tok by William Namok, a digital health educator and Torres Strait Island man from Moa Island, descendant of the Wagadagam Tribe in the west, and a Meriam man from the east.
Mr Namok emphasises the significance of communicating how people can manage their health through My Health Record in their own language.
"Providing knowledge about digital health tools in Yumpla Tok empowers our people to better manage their health, fostering social connections and cultural participation," said Mr Namok.
To watch Latoya's journey and how digital health tools support her, click the links below to watch the education video.
Latoya's Journey in Yumpla Tok: https://youtu.be/6smOf1A4ui8
Latoya's Journey in English: https://youtu.be/pbBKCFAAQgo
