A research project aiming to improve outcomes for Indigenous mothers and babies has received a substantial federal funding boost.
The La Trobe University research project, jointly led by Professor Della Forster from the Judith Lumley Centre in collaboration with community Elder Aunty Gina Bundle, has received $2.9 million to expand its work throughout the state.
The funding will see a research team work with with a number of communities in Victoria to implement and expand culturally safe continuity of care for women having an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander baby.
The project builds on work previously undertaken by La Trobe with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and three major hospitals to develop its care model, which links women with the same midwife who cares for them throughout their pregnancy, birth and postpartum period.
Professor Forster said the project aims to respond to risk factors more commonly experienced by Indigenous mothers.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families experience a higher burden of poor perinatal outcomes and increased risk of child protection involvement than other Australian families," she said.
"Culturally tailored continuity with a known midwife during pregnancy, birth and postpartum improves outcomes, but very few women can access this care."
Evidence suggests the project is leading to positive outcomes in its early stages, with babies whose mothers received care in the program more than twice as likely to be born healthy and 40 per cent less likely to be born early.
So farm more than 1000 women and families have experienced the "gold standard" maternity care since the Victorian-based work started at three partner sites.
"There is significant potential for immediate, major and transformative health gains," Professor Forster said.
"Our vision is that all women having an Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander baby in Victoria each year have access to this model, tailored to local needs, implemented in collaboration between the maternity service and local Aboriginal health service."
The project will also see collaboration between La Trobe's Judith Lumley Centre and the Gabra Biik, Wurruwila Wutja Indigenous Research Centre.
La Trobe University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Industry Engagement, Professor Chris Pakes, said the research would have a significant impact.
"The important research being undertaken by Della and her team in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities, underscores the impactful health and wellbeing projects being undertaken at La Trobe," Professor Pakes said.
The team will now work with additional maternity and local Aboriginal health services throughout Victoria, including two in regional areas, to provide an additional 1600 women the opportunity to choose this type of care during pregnancy.
The funding is provided under the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles grant, which provides financial assistance to support health and medical research and innovation, with the objective of improving the health and wellbeing of Australians.
