Over 100 researchers and health professionals from around Australia have united in Broome this week to address the major health battles facing people living in the tropical north of the country.
Held in collaboration with The Kids Research Institute Australia, the HOT NORTH workshop takes place on 18-19 September and focuses on topics such as rheumatic heart disease, skin infections, diabetes and mental health.
Presenting his insights around latest research in rheumatic heart disease, Professor Jonathan Carapetis, Director of The Kids Research Institute Australia, said the HOT NORTH workshop was a unique opportunity to bring together a range of health care professionals all dedicated to improving health outcomes in the region.
“Everyone involved brings a wealth of knowledge about the specific challenges being faced, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Islander people, so working together and sharing personal experiences has the potential to transform health practices across Australia,” said Professor Carapetis.
HOT NORTH (Improving Health Outcomes in the Tropical North) is a four-year National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funded research program led by Menzies School of Health Research.
“With 53 researchers and projects funded to date, HOT NORTH has brought together a wide range of experts to investigate the current and future challenges facing the tropical north,” said Professor Bart Currie, Director of HOT NORTH.
Dr Asha Bowen, Head of Skin Health at The Kids Research Institute Australia, will be sharing progress on the upcoming SToP Trial designed to see, treat and prevent skin infections throughout the region’s Aboriginal communities – set to be launched in partnership with Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services and Nirrumbuk Health Services this year.
“Skin infections are so common in the Kimberley that they are seen as ‘normal’ and affect close to 50% of kids living in remote communities at any one time,” said Dr Bowen.
“Sharing resources like the new National Healthy Skin Guideline and providing information to help clinicians and health care workers easily recognise and treat painful skin infections is crucial in reducing these figures.”
HOT NORTH draws on the expertise of research professionals from eight of Australia’s leading research organisations:
- Menzies School of Health Research
- The Kids Research Institute Australia
- James Cook University
- Marie Bashir Institute
- Doherty Institute
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
- Burnet Institute
To read more about HOT NORTH visit www.hotnorth.org.au