ABSTRACT
Issue addressed The study examined effective ways to build the capacity of health organisations and professionals in the public health sector to reduce Aboriginal chronic disease risk factors. It investigated the capacity-building strategies of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) nutrition team in the facilitation of the statewide implementation of the Victorian Aboriginal Nutrition and Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2014 (VANPAS). Methods Using a qualitative design, the study analysed the VACCHO program from 2009-2014 across five domains of capacity development: workforce, resources, organisations, partnerships and leadership. Data were sourced from archival program documents and 62 semi-structured participant interviews. Results Diverse Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal professional, organisation representatives and community participants engaged in the implementation of the VANPAS. The VACCHO team used the VANPAS to solidify participant buy-in, strengthen workforce effectiveness, increase health promotion and resource appropriateness, improve organisational policy and build an evidence-base through collaborative dialogue using action-reflection principles. Conclusion A credible, high-profile Aboriginal community led and evidence-based statewide program and a commitment to dialogue through action-reflection provided a meaningful basis for both Aboriginal community and mainstream organisational engagement. Upon this foundation, the VACCHO team built a coherent sectoral system with increased capacity to enhance the nutrition of Aboriginal Victorians. So what? In an historical context of mistrust and unmet expectations, program implementation methods that build confidence amongst collaborating Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health agencies is fundamental to building capacity to enhance Aboriginal nutrition and health.
Subject(s)
Capacity Building , Health Promotion/methods , Health Services, Indigenous/organization & administration , Nutrition Policy , Culturally Competent Care , Female , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Leadership , Male , Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander , Program Evaluation , Qualitative Research , VictoriaABSTRACT
Aboriginal community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs) and cooperatives function at the centre of community life for local Aboriginal people across Victoria. Local Aboriginal people govern them, work within them as managers and service providers, access health and community services from them and form the constituents who determine their directions. Victorian ACCHOs reflect the unique characteristics of the local Aboriginal community. Thus, potentially, Victorian ACCHOs are key strategic sites for health promotion activities that seek to establish and nurture healthy community, family and peer norms. The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) partnered five metropolitan, regional and rural ACCHOs in a pilot project towards the establishment of healthy food policies and practices in their organisations. Project activities combined both 'top-down' policy-oriented and 'bottom-up' practice-oriented strategies. This paper, drawing upon both baseline and follow-up quantitative and qualitative data, describes initiatives leading to increases in healthy catering choices and related challenges for Aboriginal workplace health promotion practice.
Subject(s)
Health Promotion , Health Services, Indigenous/organization & administration , Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander , Nutrition Policy , Workplace , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Program Development , VictoriaABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to provide a brief overview and context for the new Australian Network of Public Health Institutions (ANAPHI) Foundation Competencies for Master of Public Health Graduates in Australia, and to outline the current status of the quality agenda for public health training and competency standards for Master of Public Health (MPH) education in Australia. APPROACH: We summarise the complex history and process of developing competency standards for Master of Public Health courses in Australia, including the logic for a competency-based set of training guidelines. An abridged example of a competency and its underpinning knowledge is provided. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This set of competency standards will be useful for MPH course designers, and critical to maintaining the standard of MPH courses in the current (and changing) health policy context, both in Australia and internationally.
