Flinders secures $2m Movember grant to evaluate Indigenous men's health initiatives
Flinders University in South Australia has received Movember funding to evaluate the community-driven strategies that support the social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous men and boys across Australia.
Initiatives will be scrutinised for how effectively they address health inequities and prioritise Indigenous-focused programs and services.
Overseeing the Flinders University team is Professor James Smith, Deputy Dean of Rural and Remote Health NT, who will use the $2million funding to “create a truly genuine and collaborative involvement with Indigenous men so we can support them to develop evidence-based solutions that address their needs and concerns in a tangible way.”
Professor Smith said some of the Indigenous-led activities the project would evaluate includes yarning circles and arts-based methods along with individual interviews, focus groups and case studies, “where we can test a broad range of evaluation methods, tools and analytical approaches.”
The Movember grant is part of a $59 million global investment to improve the health and wellbeing of Indigenous men around the world.
“Over the next five years, our team will work closely with other organisations funded by Movember to develop meaningful ways in which to help men in Indigenous communities,” said Professor Smith.
“By partnering with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to evaluate community-based projects we can use our extensive research strengths and knowledge in health and social equity to develop tailored health programs and services.
“This is part of our enduring commitment to work alongside rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to support their needs and priorities.”
Associate Professor Kootsy Canuto is a key figure in the evaluation team along with other members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health and wellbeing team and FHMRI’s Health Equity Impact Program. (Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute).
The project will also partner with the University of Tasmania, Australian National University, University of Queensland, CSIRO and University of Wollongong.