Yarning with Aboriginal people on Ngarrindjeri Ruwe: A qualitative study exploring Community priorities for a co-designed type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome initiative in South Australia
1
Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide, Australia
2
Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network, South Australia Health, Ngarrindjeri Ruwe, Murray Bridge, Australia
3
Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, Ngarrindjeri Ruwe, Murray Bridge, Australia
4
Coorong Medical Centre, Ngarrindjeri Ruwe, Meningie, Australia
5
School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Gadigal, Sydney, Australia
6
The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Gadigal, Sydney, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Considering the sustained metabolic health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, national and international health and research bodies are collectively and progressively calling for Indigenous-led interventions that are relational, culturally grounded, and place based. While such approaches have demonstrated improvements across the social, cultural, and physical dimensions of health, a scarcity of literature exists exploring locally identified needs and objectives for said initiatives. As part of a larger co-design project, this study sought to identify community priorities for a healthy eating initiative for Aboriginal people living on Ngarrindjeri Ruwe (Country) with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
METHODS:
The study adopted Knowledge Interface Methodology, drawing upon the strengths of Indigenous and Western knowledge systems. Indigenous research methods of yarning and deep listening (tau yanun kungan) were utilised by a diverse team of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal clinicians, researchers, and health practitioners. Data was collected across ten workshops and a thematic analysis completed. Researcher reflexivity, Aboriginal governance and leadership were instrumental throughout.
RESULTS:
42 Aboriginal adults participated across three sites. A thematic map centred around 3 guiding themes was developed to guide results and present back to participants. Participants articulated that such an initiative should be owned by and incorporate the whole of Community to ensure maximum benefit to its members. Moreover, it needed to be flexible and responsive enough to accommodate individual participant needs and motivations for remission, while providing relevant resources to participants. Relationship building, initiative sustainability and strengths-based approaches are paramount.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings emphasise that healthy eating initiatives for Aboriginal communities must be flexible, community-owned, culturally grounded, and strengths-based. While situated on Ngarrindjeri Ruwe, findings offer relevance for Indigenous-led, place-based nutrition initiatives globally, particularly those aiming to improve metabolic health in culturally meaningful and sustainable ways.
Considering the sustained metabolic health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, national and international health and research bodies are collectively and progressively calling for Indigenous-led interventions that are relational, culturally grounded, and place based. While such approaches have demonstrated improvements across the social, cultural, and physical dimensions of health, a scarcity of literature exists exploring locally identified needs and objectives for said initiatives. As part of a larger co-design project, this study sought to identify community priorities for a healthy eating initiative for Aboriginal people living on Ngarrindjeri Ruwe (Country) with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
METHODS:
The study adopted Knowledge Interface Methodology, drawing upon the strengths of Indigenous and Western knowledge systems. Indigenous research methods of yarning and deep listening (tau yanun kungan) were utilised by a diverse team of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal clinicians, researchers, and health practitioners. Data was collected across ten workshops and a thematic analysis completed. Researcher reflexivity, Aboriginal governance and leadership were instrumental throughout.
RESULTS:
42 Aboriginal adults participated across three sites. A thematic map centred around 3 guiding themes was developed to guide results and present back to participants. Participants articulated that such an initiative should be owned by and incorporate the whole of Community to ensure maximum benefit to its members. Moreover, it needed to be flexible and responsive enough to accommodate individual participant needs and motivations for remission, while providing relevant resources to participants. Relationship building, initiative sustainability and strengths-based approaches are paramount.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings emphasise that healthy eating initiatives for Aboriginal communities must be flexible, community-owned, culturally grounded, and strengths-based. While situated on Ngarrindjeri Ruwe, findings offer relevance for Indigenous-led, place-based nutrition initiatives globally, particularly those aiming to improve metabolic health in culturally meaningful and sustainable ways.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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