Improving The Health Of Aboriginal Mothers And Babies Through Continuity Of Midwife Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,496,532.00
Summary
Indigenous Australians have significantly poorer health than non-Indigenous Australians. This study will evaluate the effect of continuity of midwifery care in pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period (called caseload midwifery) on outcomes for Aboriginal women and their infants. Recent studies (which have often excluded Aboriginal women) demonstrated substantial benefits of continuity of midwifery care for both mothers and babies, e.g. improved rates of low birthweight, preterm birth
Building On Our Strengths (BOOSt): Developing And Evaluating Birthing On Country Primary Maternity Units
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,090,701.00
Summary
Optimal healthcare during the year before and after birth can provide benefits for a lifetime. Our project will deliver this optimal care by implementing and evaluating Birthing on Country Service Delivery Models in urban, regional and remote sites. Birthing on Country combines Indigenous knowledge and governance, culturally safe care, continuity of midwifery carer, birth in an Indigenous birth centre and development of the Indigenous maternal and infant workforce.
Indigenous Birthing In An Urban Setting: The IBUS Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,345,514.00
Summary
Our novel and exciting multi-agency project will provide maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women living in Brisbane. It will help ‘close the gap’ in maternal and infant health outcomes and provide much needed evidence-based information to redesign services across the country. Three organisations are involved as equal partners: the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service; and the Mater Mother’s Hospital.