Establishing an enduring co-production platform in Aboriginal health

Abstract

Co‑production in Aboriginal health research builds on participatory, strength-based approaches where Aboriginal knowledge, expertise and priorities are valued and used to generate evidence to drive improvements in Aboriginal health and healthcare. The Coalition for Research to Improve Aboriginal Health (CRIAH), led by a partnership between the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AH&MRC), Sax Institute and six Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) in NSW, has a long history of successfully co-producing evidence to guide policy and program planning. Data collected through CRIAH's first project, the Study of Environment on Aboriginal Resilience and Child Health (SEARCH), a cohort of urban Aboriginal children, has been effectively used to improve child health outcomes. An evaluation of CRIAH's co-production model highlighted trusting relationships, sharing of power, valuing Aboriginal knowledge and expertise, respectful communication, strong Aboriginal leadership, and ongoing investment and collaboration as instrumental to the success and longevity of this multidisciplinary partnership. In recent years, CRIAH's co-production platform has responded to emerging areas of need identified by participating ACCHSs. This paper highlights three initiatives driven through the co-production platform: 1) examining how local mental health service systems are working for Aboriginal children and young people and how they can be improved; 2) understanding how the cancer care system is working for older Aboriginal people to develop scalable and sustainable approaches to improving cancer care; and 3) finding effective ways to measure the impact of innovative, Aboriginal-led primary health care programs. These initiatives represent co-produced, fit-for-purpose research aimed at driving tangible improvements in Aboriginal health..