SCHOOL OF RURAL HEALTH The Development of a Population Health program in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS): Strategic approaches, lessons, and early outcomes Tegan Edwards, Jamie Newman Catherine Hawke, Matt Day, Wendy Stevens

The Orange Aboriginal Medical Service (OAMS) Aboriginal health Means not just the physical well-being of an individual but refers to the social, emotional and cultural well-being of the whole Community in which each individual is able to achieve their full potential as a human being, thereby bringing about the total well-being of their Community. It is a whole-of-life view and includes the cyclical concept of life-death-life.

A Population Health Approach (PHA)  Population focus  Understanding of the history, context and characteristics of the community  Identification of needs  Consideration of the determinants of health  Emphasis on promoting health and preventing disease as well as treating illness  Evidence based decision making  Multiple strategies  Collaborative approach  Evaluation and monitoring Components: Declaration of Alma-Ata WHO 1978

Methods OAMS strategySummaryElements of PHAMethod of evaluation Strategic governance and leadership Population Health Committee: OAMS staff WNSWLHD Western Medicare Local Universities TAFE Orange City Council Population Focus Collaborative approach Identification of needs Stakeholder survey Detailing of achievements Build staff capacity in population health Bi-monthly workshops Small group training Understanding history, context & characteristics of the community Identify needs Collaborative approach Staff survey Identification of health needs Staff sessions and small group work Staff skills in data extraction and analysis. Multiple strategies Evidence-based decisions Staff survey Health of Our Community report developed by staff

Results of the Staff Survey

Early results of the PHA  District Aboriginal health worker forum  Governance training for OAMS board.  NSW Cancer Council funding for a district tobacco coordinator  Health of the Community report 6

Acknowledgements: Thank You: OAMS staff Western NSW LHD Western Medicare local Western TAFE University of Western Sydney UK Faculty of Public Health South Eastern Sydney LHD 7 AH&MRC - ethics approval