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Strengthening the capacity of Aboriginal children, families and communities

The Ngulluk Koolunga Ngulluk Koort (Our Children, Our Heart) Project grew out of a bold vision to harness the wisdom of Aboriginal Elders to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children, producing a suite of Elder-led, culturally appropriate and empowering initiatives that are making a difference.

Two international trials led by The Kids Research Institute Australia’s Neonatal and Infection Immunity Team are tackling the urgent need for simple and safe interventions that can help prevent the adverse long-term effects of infections in extremely preterm babies.

Research

In a sunny country such as Australia, it’s important to identify how to achieve the right amount of sun exposure for good health. We need to be able to harness the benefits of vitamin D and sunlight while remaining protected from the proven dangers of too much UV radiation.

Research

Globally, Indigenous people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia, experience significantly poorer health outcomes than their non-Indigenous counterparts. In part, this can be attributed to the ongoing impacts of colonization, marginalization, and systemic discrimination. In the genomic healthcare era, Indigenous people remain underrepresented in public genetic health services, raising concerns about cultural competency and inclusivity within the genetic counseling profession.

Research that maps and tracks.

Research

A range of microbiota species correlate with improved cancer outcomes in patients and confer protection in pre-clinical mouse models. Here, we examined how microbiota regulate CD8+ T cell immunity against melanoma. Spontaneous control of cutaneous melanoma in mice correlated with metabolic pathways required for microbial synthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) shared between several microbiota species.

In close partnership with Aboriginal Elders and community members in Western Australia's south-west, we created ‘Kaal Tackles Eczema’, a children’s book to help Aboriginal families manage eczema. Our research showed a high prevalence and need for culturally relevant resources. The book uses Noongar language and art to educate and reduce infections, and is available online and in schools.

Research

One in eight children have asthma, a chronic disease of the airways in the lungs. It results in shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing and coughing.

Research

Bronchiolitis is a respiratory infection, usually occurring in babies under six months of age. It causes them to wheeze and can lead to pneumonia. Researchers are focusing on vaccines against the virus which commonly causes it.