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Ngangk Ngabala Ngoonda (Sun Safety)

The Ngangk Ngabala Ngoonda (Sun Safety) project aims to address an urgent health issue and knowledge gap by generating a greater understanding of the barriers to sun protective behaviours and skin cancer prevention among Aboriginal CYP and their families in WA.

Investigaters

Professor Asha Bowen (lead), Dr Heather-Lynn Kessaris (lead), Dr Bernadette Ricciardo, Ms Carol Michie , Aunty Dale Tilbrook, Dr Hannah Mary Milroy Thomas, Dr Ingrid Amgarth-Duff, Ms Jacinta Walton, Dr (Uncle) Noel Nannup, Dr Rachel Burgess, Dr Robyn Johnston, Dr Tracy McRae.

Project Description

In Noongar language, Ngangk Ngabala Ngoonda translates to ‘Sun Safety’. The ‘Ngangk Ngabala Ngoonda (Sun Safety) of Aboriginal young mob of WA’ is a community-led project that aims to identify the sun safety needs and strengthen sun safety knowledge of Aboriginal Children and Young People (CYP; 6-25 yrs) in Western Australia (WA). 

This will be achieved through 5 objectives: 

  1. A systematic review on current recommendations for sun protection in CYP, with a focus on CYP with skin of colour.
  2. A comprehensive situational analysis of any currently available sun protection resources for Australian Aboriginal CYP and an evaluation of these resources with regards to content, acceptability and accessibility by Aboriginal CYP and families.
  3. A questionnaire, codesigned with Aboriginal Elders and community members will investigate knowledge, attitudes, employed behaviours and expectations about sun protection and skin cancer for Aboriginal CYP and their families.
  4. Translation and application of the learnings from objectives 1-3 into co-designed sun safety and skin cancer awareness messaging and resources to support Aboriginal CYP, their families and communities manage their own skin health.
  5. An evaluation of the co-designed sun safety messaging and resources from objective  

Graphic with text illustrating/breaking down the text below.

The Ngangk Ngabala Ngoonda (Sun Safety) project aims to address an urgent health issue and knowledge gap by generating a greater understanding of the barriers to sun protective behaviours and skin cancer prevention among Aboriginal CYP and their families in WA. Furthermore, this will strengthen skin cancer awareness and sun safety knowledge in Aboriginal CYP and their families through translation of the study findings into targeted culturally inclusive, evidence-based, prevention and early intervention resources.

These resources will support knowledge gain and empower Aboriginal CYP and their families regarding the risks of UVR preventing skin cancers, ultimately, reducing the disparity in skin cancer outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. 

 
Funders

Perpetual 2024 IMPACT Philanthropy Program

External collaborators

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service (Derbarl) 
South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) 
Cancer Council Western Australia (CCWA)