NTDIP: Northern Territory Diabetes In Pregnancy Project
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,572,386.00
Summary
Diabetes in pregnancy provides exposure to high sugar levels before birth which can result in the child developing obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life. This study aims to optimise the diagnosis and management of diabetes in pregnancy in the Northern Territory, thereby targeting the causes of chronic diseases from as early as possible in the life course, which we believe is a key step in closing the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
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.
Investigate the best modern, culturally secure, maternity care for Aboriginal women birthing in an urban maternity setting; evaluate principles for culturally secure maternity services and cultural competence development; advise policy change to promote cultural security; inform national accreditation policies to ensure a culturally competent midwifery workforce; inform literature on cultural competence and cultural security; and translate outcomes to state and national policy/practice.