Factors influencing lung cancer outcomes in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations
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
Ethnicity, migration and cancer Understanding disparities in access and outcomes
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
Impact story - Sravanthi's story
Sravanthi's story
Sravanthi lost her first baby in the eight month of pregnancy due to pre-eclampsia. When she became pregnant again, she was enrolled in the SMARThealth Pregnancy program. This time, an ASHA worker diagnosed her high blood pressure and helped her manage her condition through to the birth of her baby boy.
“My health improved, my blood pressure stabilised, and I was able to carry the pregnancy to term. I feel much better now, both physically and mentally. I no longer live in fear.By: SravanthiSMARThealth user
Sravanthi's story
Struggling to make a living on low wages and handouts from family members, life got even harder for newly married Sravanthi when she became pregnant for the first time and had to give up her part time job processing tobacco leaves.
During the fifth month of her pregnancy, she started to experience some worrying signs that something was wrong – her legs, face, and whole body swelled up.
"At the hospi
Improving social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through contemporary Indigenous/cultural dance “Dance2Kinnect”
Background
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people connection with family, community, culture and Country are all integral to a healthy self-concept. Cultural identity and cultural connectedness have been found to be associated with positive mental health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. Additionally, dance is known to have multiple positive benefits for physical health, social and emotional wellbeing. Both connection to culture and cultural identity will be fostered through this contemporary cultural dance pilot program.
Aim
To better understand and articulate factors influencing successful uptake of an innovative program aimed at reducing risk factors for non-communicable disease through cultural dance among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth
To apply this knowledge to inform effective upscale and translation of proven and promising programs across Australia.
Research Methodology
This program will be
A national framework to support government investment in prevention
Policy & Practice Report
LOTUS: Low dose cOmbinations To improve stroke oUtcomeS
Background:
Ischaemic stroke is the most common form of stroke – accounting for almost 90% of the 20 million new strokes that occur in the world each year. Stroke survivors are at a high risk of having another stroke and other serious events. This risk is even higher for patients with poorly controlled high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
While 70% of Australian stroke survivors are discharged from hospital on medications to lower their blood pressure and cholesterol, research shows that only 1 in 3 maintain a healthy blood pressure, 1 in 5 maintain healthy cholesterol levels, and just 1 in 10 manage both long-term.
This is largely because many stroke survivors find it difficult to take their medications as prescribed, and to have their medication adjusted when needed. Many stroke survivors have limited access to specialist services after they leave the hospital and follow up appointments with their GPs are often inconsistent – especially for those in rural, regional and remo
Understanding and preventing child drowning in the Sundarbans, West Bengal
Drowning is emerging as an important global health issue. In 2018, the World Health Organization reported 320,000 drowning deaths globally, with an estimated 90% of drownings occurring in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). 62,000 deaths, or almost one fifth of the burden, is in India. Children aged 1-9 are most at risk of drowning.
Children in some coastal regions of India such as the Sundarbans in the northern state of West Bengal are at a high risk of drowning, due to poor infrastructure, rurality, presence of unregulated open water, lack of safety awareness and inadequate health systems.
The World Health Organization has recommended four community-based interventions in rural LMIC settings to reduce drowning in young children. These interventions are: the installing barriers controlling access to water (such as playpens and fencing), the provision of safe spaces away from children with capable child care, teaching school-aged children basic swimming and rescue skills and training adult bystande
The George Institute’s Response to the Zero Draft on NCDs and Mental Health
Policy & Practice Report
International Study of Discrimination And Stigma Outcomes (INDIGO)
Indigo is a partnership programme led by Prof Sir Graham Thornicroft from King’s College London with seven other collaborating sites in five different countries (Ethoipia, India, Tunisia, China and Nepal). The project is funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC). Dr Pallab K Maulik is the India site investigator who would oversee project activities at Faridabad (Haryana) site. The long term goals behind this partnership programme are to reduce the mental health treatment gap, to reduce stigma against people with mental illness, and positively modify attitudinal barriers within the primary health care, community workers, community members and mental health professionals.
The overall aims of the Indigo Partnership are: to establish a strong research collaboration to provide the infrastructure for harmonised metrics and to develop stigma reduction interventions, and to carry out platform activities to strengthen the scientific understanding of mechanisms of action of stigma proc
Meaningful progress or empty promises? An analysis of how gender features in NCD action plans
Policy & Practice Report
Priorities for the UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) 2025
Policy & Practice Report
The path forward for Health Star Ratings
Policy & Practice Report
