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Chappell E, Chan E, Deen C, Brimblecombe J, Cadet-James Y, Hefler M, Stubbs E, Ferguson M. Using photovoice to generate solutions to improve food security among families living in remote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:785. [PMID: 38481178 PMCID: PMC10935805 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18200-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The right to food security has been recognised internationally, and nationally in Australia by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. This study aims to explore food (in)security and solutions for improvement of food security in remote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia, from the perspective of caregivers of children within the context of the family using photovoice. Participants took part in workshops discussing participant photographs of food (in)security, including solutions. Themes and sub-themes with associated solutions included traditional food use, sharing as a part of culture, the cost of healthy food, energy and transport, and housing and income. Community leaders used these data in setting priorities for advocacy to improve food security in their communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Chappell
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia.
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, 0811, Australia.
| | - Ellie Chan
- Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Alice Springs, NT, 0871, Australia
| | - Caroline Deen
- Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Bungalow, QLD, 4870, Australia
| | - Julie Brimblecombe
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, 0811, Australia
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food , Monash University, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Yvonne Cadet-James
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
- Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Bungalow, QLD, 4870, Australia
- Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University, Bungalow, QLD, 4870, Australia
| | - Marita Hefler
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, 0811, Australia
| | - Emma Stubbs
- Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Alice Springs, NT, 0871, Australia
| | - Megan Ferguson
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, 0811, Australia
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food , Monash University, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, VIC, 3168, Australia
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Lee AJ, Herron LM, Rainow S, Wells L, Kenny I, Kenny L, Wells I, Kavanagh M, Bryce S, Balmer L. Improving economic access to healthy diets in first nations communities in high-income, colonised countries: a systematic scoping review. Nutr J 2024; 23:10. [PMID: 38225569 PMCID: PMC10790425 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-023-00895-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Affordability of healthy food is a key determinant of the diet-related health of First Nations Peoples. This systematic scoping review was commissioned by the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council (NPYWC) in Central Australia to identify interventions to improve economic access to healthy food in First Nations communities in selected high-income, colonised countries. METHODS Eight databases and 22 websites were searched to identify studies of interventions and policies to improve economic access to healthy food in First Nations communities in Australia, Canada, the United States or New Zealand from 1996 to May 2022. Data from full text of articles meeting inclusion criteria were extracted to a spreadsheet. Results were collated by descriptive synthesis. Findings were examined with members of the NPYWC Anangu research team at a co-design workshop. RESULTS Thirty-five publications met criteria for inclusion, mostly set in Australia (37%) or the US (31%). Interventions (n = 21) were broadly categorised as price discounts on healthy food sold in communities (n = 7); direct subsidies to retail stores, suppliers and producers (n = 2); free healthy food and/or food vouchers provided to community members (n = 7); increased financial support to community members (n = 1); and other government strategies (n = 4). Promising initiatives were: providing a box of food and vouchers for fresh produce; prescriptions for fresh produce; provision/promotion of subsidised healthy meals and snacks in community stores; direct funds transfer for food for children; offering discounted healthy foods from a mobile van; and programs increasing access to traditional foods. Providing subsidies directly to retail stores, suppliers and producers was least effective. Identified enablers of effective programs included community co-design and empowerment; optimal promotion of the program; and targeting a wide range of healthy foods, particularly traditional foods where possible. Common barriers in the least successful programs included inadequate study duration; inadequate subsidies; lack of supporting resources and infrastructure for cooking, food preparation and storage; and imposition of the program on communities. CONCLUSIONS The review identified 21 initiatives aimed at increasing affordability of healthy foods in First Nations communities, of which six were deemed promising. Five reflected the voices and experiences of members of the NPYWC Anangu research team and will be considered by communities for trial in Central Australia. Findings also highlight potential approaches to improve economic access to healthy foods in First Nations communities in other high-income colonised countries. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42022328326.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Lee
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, 288 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD, 4029, Australia.
| | - Lisa-Maree Herron
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, 288 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD, 4029, Australia
| | - Stephan Rainow
- Nganampa Health Council, 3 Wilkinson St, Alice Springs, NT, 0871, Australia
| | - Lisa Wells
- Anangu research team, Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women's Council, 3 Wilkinson St, Alice Springs, NT, 0871, Australia
| | - Ingrid Kenny
- Anangu research team, Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women's Council, 3 Wilkinson St, Alice Springs, NT, 0871, Australia
| | - Leon Kenny
- Anangu research team, Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women's Council, 3 Wilkinson St, Alice Springs, NT, 0871, Australia
| | - Imogen Wells
- Anangu research team, Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women's Council, 3 Wilkinson St, Alice Springs, NT, 0871, Australia
| | - Margaret Kavanagh
- Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women's Council, 3 Wilkinson St, Alice Springs, NT, 0871, Australia
| | - Suzanne Bryce
- Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women's Council, 3 Wilkinson St, Alice Springs, NT, 0871, Australia
| | - Liza Balmer
- Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women's Council, 3 Wilkinson St, Alice Springs, NT, 0871, Australia
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