NATIONAL TALK BLACK – 06/05/2025
On todays National Talk Black via NIRS – National Indigenous Radio Service we have:
Professor Della Forster, La Trobe University Judith Lumley Centre, talking about the Funding for research to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies. A La Trobe University research project that aims to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies has received $2.9 million in Federal Government funding. Led jointly by La Trobe’s Professor Della Forster from the Judith Lumley Centre in collaboration with community Elder Aunty Gina Bundle, the research team will work with a number of communities in Victoria to implement and expand culturally safe continuity of care for women having an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander baby. This project builds on the work La Trobe has previously undertaken with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and three major hospitals to develop its care model, which links women with the same midwife who cares for them throughout their pregnancy, birth and postpartum period. More than 1000 women and families have experienced this “gold standard” maternity care since this Victorian-based work started at three partner sites. Professor Forster said babies whose mothers received care in the program were more than twice as likely to be born healthy and 40 per cent less likely to be born early. The team will now work with more maternity and local Aboriginal health services in Victoria, including two in regional areas, to provide an additional 1600 women the opportunity to choose this type of care during pregnancy. Professor Forster said the program could help close the gap in maternal and infant health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Professor Forster is a leading international researcher in maternal and infant care. She has a joint appointment as the Professor of Midwifery and Maternity Services Research with La Trobe and the Royal Women’s Hospital. The project will also see collaboration between La Trobe’s Judith Lumley Centre and the Gabra Biik, Wurruwila Wutja Indigenous Research Centre. Professor Forster secured funding thanks to a 2024 Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles grant. The MRFF provides financial assistance to support health and medical research and innovation, with the objective of improving the health and wellbeing of Australians. You can find out more via the link below!
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/…/funding-for-research-to…
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