Abstract
Background: The definition of health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Peoples goes beyond the physical health of an individual, adopting a whole-of-community view. Community well-being and individual well-being are intertwined. It is a whole-of-life view including "the cyclical concept of life-death-life". Previous research has demonstrated that conventional safe infant sleeping messages and campaigns have had little impact in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Health promotion programs successful in engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are ones which use a collaborative approach, involving Communities in all aspects of program development, implementation and evaluation; respecting the diversity in local knowledge and culture by tailoring the approach to reflect the needs of the community. Objectives: 1. Demonstrate the clear need to break through traditional boundaries within government sectors, between government and non-government organisations, and between the public and private sector. 2. Demonstrate how an integrated, community owned capacity building approach is essential to unlock the potential for health promotion inherent in many sectors of society, among local communities and within families. 3. Demonstrate how this approach has created new partnerships for health on equal ground between the different sectors at all levels of governance. Methods: Communities taking part in the study expressed interest in participating after viewing the Pēpi-pod Program at community events and workshops. All sites have a strong maternal child health workforce. Resource development for promotion and education was informed through a search for best practice examples of safe infant sleeping health promotion and education in Indigenous populations elsewhere in the world. The SUDI star and new safe sleeping illustrations were commissioned to provide a focus for the health issue and for use in community settings. Results: Government (Queensland Health) and non-Government services (Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, Medicare Locals, Royal Flying Doctor Service) have joined the project. Pepi-pods are now a core element of the Apunimpia Baby Basket Program which will be highlighted in the presentation. The Pēpi-pod Program and safe infant sleeping displays have been delivered in partnership with each community. Safe infant sleeping has been embraced as both Men's and Women's Business leading to the delivery of novel ways to engage whole-of-community. This presentation will provide examples of resources and initiatives developed specifically for health education and health promotion. With permission, stories and images from families and Communities will be shared with the audience. Conclusion: The Pēpi-pod Program will only work in areas where there is a strong, committed maternal child health workforce, supported by their organisation and trusted by their Community. Processes are in place to ensure all program activities are relevant to the needs of each individual community and can be sustained and owned by Community during the years to come. Sustainable, community owned programs which translate safe infant sleep health promotion into safe infant sleep action will achieve continued reductions in infant mortality for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.