The Stroke Foundation has marked a significant milestone in its reconciliation journey by launching its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.
The Innovative RAP focuses on four key areas; relationships, respect, opportunities and governance, and builds on progress of the organisation's Reflect RAP completed in September 2023.
The Foundation said it decided to launch the Innovate RAP during this year's National Reconciliation Week which under the theme Bridging Now to Next, calls on on all Australians to learn from the past, act in the present, and work towards a better future through its commitment to ongoing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
Stroke Foundation RAP Working Group member and stroke survivor, Courtney Rubie, said she is excited to see the Foundation take larger strides with Indigenous communities and leaders in the spirit of building relationships and partnerships for meaningful change.
The Wiradjuri woman also said she is deeply encouraged by the genuine respect, commitment, and willingness to listen, to learn and to act meaningfully that the Stroke Foundation has shown throughout its Reconciliation Action Plan journey.
Indigenous peoples are up to to three times more likely to experience a stroke and are nearly twice more likely to die from a stroke, with First Nations peoples also more likely to experience stroke at a younger age.
Stroke Foundation chief executive Dr Lisa Murphy said the launch of the Innovate RAP is "an important step forward" for the organisation, especially considering the stark disparities in stroke health outcomes for First Nations peoples.
"We recognise the strengths, knowledge and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in driving positive health outcomes, and our Innovate RAP is a step forward in walking alongside communities to support culturally safe, community-led stroke prevention and recovery initiatives," Dr Murphy said.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face a disproportionately high burden of stroke compared to other Australians and also face additional systemic barriers in receiving care and adequate supports throughout their recovery."
Coinciding with National Close the Gap Day last year, Stroke Foundation launched a podcast series which discusses various aspects of stroke and prevention after calling for increased stroke awareness initiatives to prevent unnecessary death and disability in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in 2023.
This initiative aims to amplify the importance of stroke education while sharing stories from the organisation's work so far.
"Stroke Foundation is guided by the understanding that our vision of an Australia with fewer strokes, better outcomes, and support and care for all can only be achieved when we listen to, learn from, and work alongside First Nations peoples," Dr Murphy said.
Both Stroke Foundation's Reflect and Innovative Reconciliation Action Plans can be found online.
