A summit to be held in North Brisbane this week will help Indigenous women to share wellness stories and to take control of their health.
Associate Professor Bronwyn Fredericks from Queensland University of Technology's (QUT) Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) said the North Brisbane Indigenous Women's Wellness Summit was an idea expressed during research last year and brought to fruition by QUT and other health and community groups who sourced funding.
"The one thing that was being highlighted by many Indigenous women was that they were sick of constantly being told how sick they are," Professor Fredericks said.
"The Elders, in particular, said they wanted to have a gathering where they could work with a number of women to discuss ways to achieve wellness, despite the statistics on Indigenous health."
Professor Fredericks, who will be talking about the effects of tobacco, will be joined by fellow QUT staff Melissa Walker and Kyly Mills as well as a number of postgraduate students.
Ms Walker willl be coordinating general health checks.
Health screening will also be available on the day along with a healthy cooking demonstration by Diabetes Australia Queensland.
The summit, which is being held the day after International Women's Day, will not only assist with practical health checks and information, but also give the participants the opportunity to workshop ideas on how to improve health outcomes.
"There is little opportunity for Indigenous women to get together and share this kind of information, which can help to benefit the whole community," Professor Fredericks said.
"With their health status so poor, it's important to assist Indigenous women to promote health and awareness."
The North Brisbane Indigenous Women's Wellness Summit is supported by QUT, Diabetes Australia Queensland, Queensland Health Smoke-free Support, Bunyabilla Indigenous Corporation Inc. and several other Queensland Government Departments and community groups.
"What this day also demonstrates is how health researchers can advocate with community groups for change and facilitate action," Professor Fredericks said.
"The Women's Wellness Project Team is committed to working with Indigenous women for better health outcomes for the long term."
The North Brisbane Indigenous Women's Wellness Summit will be held on Friday March 9 between 9am and 3pm in the Tom Petrie Room at the Strathpine Community Centre on the corner of Gympie Road and Mecklem Street, Strathpine.
For more information call Professor Fredericks, Ms Walker or Ms Mills on 3138 3022 or email k10.mills@qut.edu.au
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Media contact: Alita Pashley, QUT media officer, 07 3138 1841 or alita.pashley@qut.edu.au
