GLOWS Medium Research Grant Recipient
Project: Improving the Hepatitis B cascade of care in the urban Top End of the Northern Territory
Why this research project?
Liver disease is a major contributor to the life expectancy gap, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the NT experience liver cancer six times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians.
Up to 6% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults live with Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) and, without proper management, 25% will develop serious liver disease as a result.
This research project aims to identify and engage more people living with CHB and develop care pathways that are culturally safe and sustainably embedded into Danila Dilba’s routine primary care.
Key project activities will include:
- Standardising Hepatitis B serocoding for all DDHS clients
- Ensuring clinical recalls and care plans for those with CHB
- Upskilling the primary healthcare workforce to diagnose, manage and treat CHB
- Providing culturally safe, community-led education and care
Expected outcomes
By improving early diagnosis, treatment access, and long-term management, this initiative will help to reduce liver disease-related morbidity and mortality (i.e. the rates of people living with and dying from CHB and liver disease). The project will also support NT efforts to exceed national Hepatitis B targets.
For Danila Dilba, we’re looking forward to strengthen our research capacity with this grant and provide leadership and upskilling opportunities for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
To find out more about research at Danila Dilba, click here, or contact Caitlin Garbin: Caitlin.Garbin@ddhs.org.au.
