Why is this important?

This study is important because we know that the colonisation of Australia is continuing to affect the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (hereafter Aboriginal Australians will be respectfully used) in many areas of health. Aboriginal Australians have a significantly reduced life expectancy due to the many kinds of disadvantage they have experienced and are still experiencing.

Our research aims to approach Indigenous health as a whole, looking at how lots of different causes of stress can work together and negatively affect health in the community. We know that many chronic diseases like kidney disease and diabetes begin in the womb when mum is pregnant. This study aims to better understand what can provide a long and healthy life for Aboriginal Australian mothers and their babies. We are working with the community to gather data and using this data to develop community-based programs to provide a healthy start to life for all Aboriginal Australian children. We also record things about mum’s health while pregnant so that we can find out what could improve pregnancy outcomes and long-term health.