Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Network: “Connecting Hearts & Minds”
Building Indigenous Cardiovascular Research Capacity and Connectedness
Recent advancements in cardiovascular care and research have made significant strides in improving health outcomes for many populations. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, this progress offers a foundation to address cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is a key area of focus due to its prevalence as a leading cause of mortality.
The strong community resilience and ongoing dedication to health improvement among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities highlight the opportunities to address inequitable health outcomes. These disparities underscore the importance of leveraging existing knowledge and research expertise to drive positive change.
While the current research efforts in cardiovascular care are robust, there is a growing recognition of the need to enhance these efforts to better align with the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This presents an exciting opportunity to innovate and tailor research approaches that are more inclusive and impactful.
To achieve significant improvements, it is essential to foster collaboration and support initiatives that empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in CVD research. By addressing the challenges and embracing the strengths within these communities, there is potential to make substantial progress and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
ASHRA’s Indigenous Program
The ASHRA “Connecting Hearts & Minds” Network is a collaborative initiative designed to advance cardiovascular research with a focus on improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Created through the Australian Stroke and Heart Research Accelerator (ASHRA) and the Guunu-maana (Heal) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health team at The George Institute for Global Health, the network unites Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. It brings together participants from primary care services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, peak bodies, NGOs, research and clinical networks, students, and community members with lived experience.
The network aims to accelerate research through webinars, masterclasses, and ongoing communication about events, training, and funding opportunities, all tailored to address specific cardiovascular challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Our beautiful logo, crafted by Jaleel Jarrett, features a tree with heart-shaped leaves and vein-like roots, surrounded by yarning circles. This design, along with the name, was a collaborative effort with the broader Guunu-maana team, highlighting our strong team spirit!
Advancing Cardiovascular Equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
In our dedication to advancing cardiovascular equity and addressing disparities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community CVD outcomes, ASHRA is excited to launch a Research Network that brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. This collaborative network is designed to accelerate cardiovascular research with a focused aim: to enhance health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
By fostering partnerships and leveraging diverse expertise, this initiative will drive meaningful progress in cardiovascular care. Our goal is to create a platform for shared knowledge and innovative solutions that are directly aligned with the needs and priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Together, we will work to close the gap in cardiovascular health and contribute to more equitable health outcomes for all.
Growing Capabilities among the network members
The Networks’ objectives include (but are not be limited to):
• Facilitating collaboration in CVD research, evidence-generation and the development of health system models and solutions.
• Supporting the capacity and the capability growth of researchers, clinicians and policy makers to develop CVD research that better responds to the needs of Indigenous Australians at risk of, or suffering from, CVD.
• Creating connections for interested parties and stakeholders to the expertise of ASHRA and its partners in the design, development and conduct of CVD research.
• Addressing barriers to undertaking research in Indigenous communities and services.
• Identifying key priority targets for research development from the perspective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary care providers and communities.