Targeted Call for Research into Nutrition in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in remote communities experience the poorest health outcomes of any population group in Australia largely due to low access and affordability of nutritious foods, leading to a poor-quality diet. The aim of implementing this call was to provide funding for rigorous, culturally-safe and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led research into improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by addressing poor nutrition and its social determinants. Quality evidence generated from co-designed research will allow for better planning, funding and implementation of policies and services to improve nutritional health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Applications for this TCR aimed to identify strength-based, action-orientated approaches for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the life course that are feasible, sustainable and culturally safe for best practice in nutritional health to:

• contribute to reducing the burden of chronic diseases, leading to closing the gap in life expectancy and improved quality of life through improved dietary behaviour, food security and access.
• recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ concepts of health and well-being, looking at the life-course in relation to healthy dietary intake behaviour and measure health improvements.
• increase cultural responsiveness of mainstream and community-controlled health services, health promotion and support services, individually and as a system in a sustainable manner.

It is expected the key outcomes from funded grants will be:

• A body of evidence that will influence, inform and improve public policy in the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in relation to nutrition.
• Effective best-practice, particularly those that are community-led, to address the nutritional health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Contribute to a practical, action-based nutritional framework to prevent and reduce onset of disease and reduce risk factors for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities.