Background: More than 104 million (approximately 8%) of India’s population belongs to Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. About 35% of STs live below the poverty line and compared to other social groups, have poorer health and social indicators. Many live in remote areas or forest areas and have poor physical access to health facilities. ST communities have also been disproportionately affected by displacement and forced migration due to development projects. Although ST communities are exposed to a combination of social, economic and environmental factors that may affect their mental health and wellbeing, there is limited data related to mental health needs of tribal communities in India, with few mental health interventions involving tribal communities and limited evidence of appropriate mental health promotion interventions.  Mental health promotion (MHP) is based on broader principles of health promotion in which the focus is not on disease or pathology but on promoting overall health and ps

BackgroundIn the pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Community Action for Health (CAH) is considered a crucial strategy. CAH empowers communities to define their healthcare priorities and monitor the effectiveness of implemented reforms. With a long history in India, CAH has been incorporated into national policies like the National Rural Health Mission and the National Health Policy. Globally, CAH is associated with improved health outcomes, increased health literacy, and stronger healthcare systems. However, despite its potential, CAH faces challenges in India. While a pilot program showed positive impacts, concerns about its confrontational nature led to a shift towards less confrontational methods. Currently, CAH is considered underutilized and under-researched.A 2020 review called for more systematic and nuanced documentation of CAH experiences, urging the need to identify contexts that enable or hinder its success, as well as scalable and adaptable tools. Current research is fragmented, focusing

Background Global health research reflects and can either perpetuate or challenge the complex power hierarchies and inequities that characterise our health systems and the societies in which they are situated. The imperative to embed equity in health research aligns with broader efforts globally to promote equitable partnerships among researchers, and between researchers and the communities potentially impacted by their research, or with whom knowledge is co-produced. Aim Our primary aim is to increase the capacity of public health researchers all over the globe to enhance equity integration across their research, regardless of their design, size or location. We want to improve conceptual understandings, know how and skills in application of ethical and equity-related principles, and contribute towards growing a culture of ethical praxis in global public health research. Research Methodology Case Study We will develop case studies of research projects at The George

Background Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally and in Australia, with 8,691 deaths recorded nationally in 2023. People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds experience disproportionately poorer outcomes, yet the reasons behind these disparities are not fully understood. Given that nearly one-third of Australia's population is born overseas, and a significant proportion come from CALD backgrounds, understanding and addressing these inequities is crucial. CALD patients often face barriers such as language difficulties, cultural insensitivity, stigma, and limited health literacy, which can hinder access to timely diagnosis and treatment. About one-third of lung cancer patients in NSW present through emergency departments, often due to delays in care or lack of continuity. Bulk-billing practices, while more accessible, can be time-constrained and less conducive to preventive care discussions, particularly for patients requiring longer

Background Cancer incidence is rising rapidly worldwide, with projections estimating 24 million new cases annually by 2035. Low- and middle-income countries are expected to bear over 70% of this burden, with the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) particularly affected. In 2020, APAC accounted for nearly 60% of global cancer deaths, and cancer remains the second leading cause of mortality in the region, responsible for approximately 4.5 million deaths in 2016. A significant challenge in APAC is the shortfall in radiotherapy services, with projections indicating that over 5 million cancer patients annually will require radiotherapy by 2035. Despite technological advancements, audits of radiotherapy services across the region have highlighted gaps in quality and accessibility, underscoring the urgent need for investment in infrastructure and data-driven improvements. A key factor in enhancing radiotherapy services is the effective use of information systems, which can store and analyse crucial data on pa

Background Cancer remains a major public health challenge in New South Wales (NSW), responsible for over 14,000 deaths in 2017. The state’s diverse population, with approximately 30% of residents born overseas, reflects the broader global trend of increased migration. Worldwide, more than 272 million people are classified as migrants, with nearly 30% being refugees or displaced individuals. Refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants at risk face significant healthcare barriers, including financial constraints, language difficulties, and unfamiliarity with local health systems. These challenges contribute to disparities in disease detection and outcomes, particularly for conditions like cancer.Emerging research suggests that infection-related cancers are more prevalent in certain migrant populations compared to Australian-born individuals. However, due to the absence of refugee status identifiers in health datasets, these vulnerable groups remain underrepresented in cancer research and policy plan

The RESist-NCD Partnership RESist-NCD comprises a comprehensive four-year program of work (2024-2028) to support governments in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia to develop interventions for the prevention and early treatment of diabetes and hypertension (a key cardiovascular disease risk factor). The RESist-NCD consortium includes: The George Institute for Global Health; UNSW, Sydney; and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and embeds strong partnership with relevant interest-holders in governments, health services, academic institutions, civil society organisations, communities and international agencies in the RESist-NCD partner countries. Our program will not only strengthen high quality, equitable diabetes and hypertension prevention, screening and management services integrated with primary health care but enhance critical health system building blocks required to support the sustainability of these services and withstand future shocks. Backgro