Background:

The Strong Woman Strong Babies Strong Culture (SWSBSC) program aims to increase Aboriginal peoples understanding of western health concepts that can help to improve Aboriginal health, using culturally appropriate and safe methods. This is done by interpreting the information into everyday language that is understandable to Aboriginal people. Strong women staff, works in a way of bicultural learning, translating western theories like the Barker hypothesis in a cultural meaningful message which they can act on at their level.
The SWSBSC staff provides the health department with a measure of cultural security. Having the Aboriginal women employed by the organisation changes the culture of the organisation.
The program acknowledges the importance of cultural identity to Aboriginal people.

Methods:

This presentation will show how the SWSBSC staff has adapted the theory of Dr. David Barker’s concept of improving health outcomes. Visual images are used in an appropriate way to communicate a long life, short life path to growing babies into adulthood.

Results/Discussions:

This process of passing information about healthy life styles which may lead to preventing chronic conditions later in life seems to encourage discussion among our target group.

Conclusions/implications:

This method developed by Aboriginal women for Aboriginal women and is delivered in a culturally appropriate way by Strong Woman Coordinators and community based Strong Woman Workers. The process contributes to community development and leadership roles within the structure of Aboriginal society.