Preventing non-communicable diseases (PreventNCD) among Indigenous children and youth in major cities of Australia (2024-2029)

This project adopts an innovative whole-of-health-system approach to identify solutions and implement early prevention of non-communicable (PreventNCD) risks among urban Indigenous people under the 'Research Alliance for Urban Community Controlled Health Services' (RAUCCHS) governance. The first of its kind in Australia, RAUCCHS was set up under the leadership of Adjunct Associate Professor Adrian Carson, CEO of the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health, and CI Ward (Director, UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health) as a strategic partnership in October 2022. CIs Mamun and Shakeshaft are founding members of RAUCCHS. RAUCCHS is an alliance of eight urban three Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) with the University of Queensland. The proposed research program on implementing an evidence-based, culturally appropriate model of care for preventing NCD risks among Indigenous people in major cities of Australia has been conceptualised and developed in partnership with two Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) in Brisbane and Darwin. This has resulted in input to program design ideas for capacity building, implementation, and evaluation. Implementing early prevention strategies in the cities through the Indigenous Specific Health Checks platform has been identified as a priority for both participating ACCHS, recognising that strategies are needed to identify and understand barriers and enablers to implementing the proposed PreventNCD. An iterative feedback process was adopted to agree on this study's aims and appropriate methods. The ACCHSs are committed to developing adaptable, effective models to achieve the project's goal. Community engagements, including clinicians, health service professionals, parents/carers, youth, and Indigenous Elders, will be embedded in all aspects of project design and delivery to ensure the project is responsive to community needs and priorities