SCHOOL OF RURAL HEALTH

The Development of a Population Health program in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS): Strategic approaches, lessons, and early outcomes

Tegan Edwards, Jamie Newman Catherine Hawke, Matt Day, Wendy Stevens

The Orange Aboriginal Medical Service (OAMS)

Aboriginal health

Means not just the physical well-being

of an individual but refers to the

social, emotional and cultural well-

being of the whole Community in

which each individual is able to

achieve their full potential as a human

being, thereby bringing about the

total well-being of their Community. It

is a whole-of-life view and includes the

cyclical concept of life-death-life.

A Population Health Approach (PHA)

Population focus

Understanding of the history, context and characteristics of the community

Identification of needs

Consideration of the determinants of health

Emphasis on promoting health and preventing disease as well as treating illness

Evidence based decision making

Multiple strategies

Collaborative approach

Evaluation and monitoring

Components:

http://www.naccho.org.au/about-us/naccho-members/

Declaration of Alma-Ata WHO 1978

Methods

OAMS strategy Summary Elements of PHA Method of evaluation

Strategic governance and leadership

Population Health Committee:• OAMS staff• WNSWLHD• Western Medicare Local • Universities• TAFE• Orange City Council

Population Focus Collaborative approach Identification of needs

Stakeholder survey  Detailing of achievements

Build staff capacity in population health

Bi-monthly workshopsSmall group training

Understanding history, context & characteristics of the community Identify needs Collaborative approach

Staff survey

Identification of health needs

Staff sessions and small group workStaff skills in data extraction and analysis.

Multiple strategies Evidence-based decisions

Staff survey Health of Our Community report developed by staff

Staff opportunity to provide input

Unsure of next steps

Initiatives identified

Understanding of population health

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Agree neutral disagree

% of staff

Results of the Staff Survey

6

Early results of the PHA

District Aboriginal health worker forum

Governance training for OAMS board.

NSW Cancer Council funding for a district tobacco coordinator

Health of the Community report

7

Acknowledgements:

Thank You:

OAMS staff

Western NSW LHD

Western Medicare local

Western TAFE

University of Western Sydney

UK Faculty of Public Health

South Eastern Sydney LHD

AH&MRC - ethics approval