Independent reviewers have written positive critiques of this program.  Click to read the reviews.

The early years are an important time in the growth and development of children, and no less so for Aboriginal children.

Aboriginal children in this age group are often affected by anaemia, poor nutrition, frequent chest infections, and chronic ear and skin infections.

The effects of these health problems, compounded by poor access to health care, have continuing impact on the physical, cognitive, social and educational development of Aboriginal children.  Poor health in these early years is a major set back, leading to life long problems with chronic illness.

Some of the enormous health and well-being problems faced by Aboriginal communities are being successfully ameliorated by the communities themselves through participative and community-based initiatives.

This program offers models and ideas for communities on what can work for them in the area of Aboriginal early childhood development, and how some communities are managing these problems.

It is a new 26-minute version of the hour-long Growing Healthy Aboriginal Kids: the Early Years 1-5 program originally produced by the Rural Health Education Foundation in 2005.

The focus of the new program is on clear models for community development, as compared to the earlier program which focused on health professional education.

It highlights a number of community initiatives, including: Jirnani Childcare Centre at Nguiu, Bathurst Island; Nguiu Clinic, Bathurst Island; and Growth Assessment and Action (GAA) Hermannsburg.

At the end of this program viewers will be able to:

• Identify health problems commonly found in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 1-5 years.
• Recognise the need for a family approach when dealing with issues related to Aboriginal child health and early development.
• Identify possible ways to stimulate flexible and culturally appropriate health services for the care of young Aboriginal children.
• Identify ways to engage communities and other health professionals in collaborative health programs for the 1-5 year age group.

- Presenter: Ms Karla Grant, Presenter of the Living Black program on SBS Television.
- Dr Ngiare Brown, Assistant Director, Indigenous Health, Menzies School of Health Research NT.
- Dr Andrew White , Community Paediatrician, Rural and Remote Health, Department of Health and Community Service, Alice Springs NT.
- Ms Eva Williams, Nurse, Nguiu Clinic, Bathurst Island NT.
- Dr John Boffa, Public Health Officer, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Inc., Alice Springs NT.
- Ms Marion Swift, Co-ordinator, Growth Assessment and Action (GAA) Hermannsburg NT.
- Ms Heather Grieve, Growth Assessment and Action (GAA) Hermannsburg NT.
- Ms Mandala Pupangamirri, Jirnani Childcare Centre, Nguiu Bathurst Island NT.
- Ms Carmel Hattch, Liaison Officer, Alice Springs Hospital, Department Health and Community Service NT.
- Click here for more details about the presenter.

26 minutes.

The program was first broadcast on 30 May 2006 and was repeated on 2 June 2006.

This program is accredited for CPD/CPE by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the Royal College of Nursing Australia and the Australian Physiotherapy Association.  RACGP General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration points have been applied for, and will be confirmed soon.  Click here to evaluate this program and earn professional development points.

Go to our acknowledgements page for details of organisations and individuals who have contributed to this program.

This program was funded by an untied educational grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Ltd in support of better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Additional funding was provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and the Ian Potter Foundation.

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