Asthma education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and health practitioners in northern and central Australia is closing the language gap.
A new interactive app, produced by the Menzies School of Health Research’s Child Health Division, displays in English but with voice over in seven Indigenous languages.
They are Tiwi, Murrinh Patha, Yolngu Matha, Kriol, Pitjantjatjara, Western Arrernte and Warlpiri.
Menzies senior research fellow and project lead Dr Gabrielle McCallum said in a statement that the asthma app was an innovative way to help people access important information about asthma in their home and at their own pace.
“The team evaluated the app with 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers from the Northern Territory and Queensland and found that knowledge of asthma significantly improved after using the asthma app, particularly how asthma is treated and the steps in first aid,” she said.
“Health care professionals also described the app as an innovative and effective method of providing asthma education to culturally and linguistically diverse groups.”