Strengthening the effectiveness, scalability and sustainability of the Remote Laundries intervention for Acute Rheumatic Fever
1
Indigenous Science and Engagement, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Brisbane, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) is an inflammatory disease due to recurrent infection with Group A Streptococcus bacterium (GAS) (1). Untreated ARF can lead to irreversible damage to the heart valves resulting in Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) (2, 3). Despite being entirely preventable, within Australia the burden of ARF is almost exclusively witnessed in the Indigenous population, accounting for 94% of diagnoses, particularly in the 5-14 years age group (4). ARF and RHD are determined by social and economic disadvantage driven by lack of access to adequate healthcare, housing, washing facilities, water and power. Aboriginal Investment Group (AIG) launched the Remote Laundries Project in 2029 as a solution to the lack of washing facilities in remote Aboriginal communities. This study aimed to measure the impact of this community-led primordial prevention activity on health, social and economic outcomes, and enablers and barriers to implementation, scaling and sustainment in remote Indigenous communities
METHODS:
A co-designed mixed methods impact and implementation evaluation study was conducted.. Data were collected using qualitative interview and ethnographic observations, and quantitative data related to laundry operation. Deductive thematic analysis was undertaken using the Indigenous and non-Indigenous implementation frameworks.
RESULTS:
Findings established the Remote Laundries Project as a legitimate and scalable public health intervention to advance health, social and economic outcomes within remote Indigenous communities. Core components to the success of the Remote Laundries Project were identified. Core components to implementation success included embedded Indigenous governance and workforce, flexible design and delivery suitable to remote contexts, and investment in strong partnerships. The greatest barrier to continued implementation and scale is access to funding.
CONCLUSIONS:
With adequate financial investment, the Remote Laundries Project is positioned for scaling across Northern Australia to respond to community identified health, social and economic priorities to advance equitable outcomes for remote Indigenous peoples.
Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) is an inflammatory disease due to recurrent infection with Group A Streptococcus bacterium (GAS) (1). Untreated ARF can lead to irreversible damage to the heart valves resulting in Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) (2, 3). Despite being entirely preventable, within Australia the burden of ARF is almost exclusively witnessed in the Indigenous population, accounting for 94% of diagnoses, particularly in the 5-14 years age group (4). ARF and RHD are determined by social and economic disadvantage driven by lack of access to adequate healthcare, housing, washing facilities, water and power. Aboriginal Investment Group (AIG) launched the Remote Laundries Project in 2029 as a solution to the lack of washing facilities in remote Aboriginal communities. This study aimed to measure the impact of this community-led primordial prevention activity on health, social and economic outcomes, and enablers and barriers to implementation, scaling and sustainment in remote Indigenous communities
METHODS:
A co-designed mixed methods impact and implementation evaluation study was conducted.. Data were collected using qualitative interview and ethnographic observations, and quantitative data related to laundry operation. Deductive thematic analysis was undertaken using the Indigenous and non-Indigenous implementation frameworks.
RESULTS:
Findings established the Remote Laundries Project as a legitimate and scalable public health intervention to advance health, social and economic outcomes within remote Indigenous communities. Core components to the success of the Remote Laundries Project were identified. Core components to implementation success included embedded Indigenous governance and workforce, flexible design and delivery suitable to remote contexts, and investment in strong partnerships. The greatest barrier to continued implementation and scale is access to funding.
CONCLUSIONS:
With adequate financial investment, the Remote Laundries Project is positioned for scaling across Northern Australia to respond to community identified health, social and economic priorities to advance equitable outcomes for remote Indigenous peoples.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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