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Responsive Research and Shared Learning: Inspiring
change to improve outcomes for children
Professor Fiona Stanley AC Executive Director, Australian Research Alliance for Children
& YouthDirector, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research
Professor of Paediatrics & Child Health, University of Western Australia
Australian Research Alliance
for Children & Youth
Positive Futures Conference: Achieving Wellbeing for Children & FamiliesAssociation of Children’s Welfare Agencies Conference
Sydney 15 August 2006
Impact of white colonisation on
Aboriginal health today
Source: Matthews 1997
COLONISATIONCultural genocideStolen children
Loss of hunter-gathererLifestyle, loss of culture
Fixed settlementsFringe camps
Urban ghettoes
Poor housing,Poor hygiene,
Overcrowding andInfectious disease
Respiratory disease,Ear disease,
Rheumatic heart dis.Renal disease
Poor nutrition
Low birth weight,Diabetes mellitus
HypertensionCardiovasc. disease
Domestic violence,Accidents, deaths
in custody
Marginalisation fromwhite society, poorcommunication and
discrimination
Unemployment,Poverty,
Poor education
Alcohol andSubstance abuse
What is ARACY?• National organisation established in
2002
• Our network unites more than 700 members and network participants from across Australia.
Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth
Our Purpose:
To enhance the wellbeing and life chances of children and young
people.
Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth
Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth
How?
• Working together in new, collaborative ways
• Establishing effective national data on children & youth
• Using the latest information technology to link dedicated people across the nation
• Advocate for Australia’s future generation.
Intellectually Competent & Emotionally Capable Workforce
Majority of Young People Participating to their Full Potential
Majority of Children Healthy, Reaching their Educational and Social Potential
National Economic Prosperity
Health & Welfare Budgets Not Draining Australia’s Capacity
Next Generation of Parents Socially & Emotionally Competent
Cycles of Economic Prosperity & National Capacity
Majority of Children Commence their Lives in Environments which Enable Full Opportunities for Healthy Child Development
BUILDING BLOCKS
Why is Child Health & Development Crucial for Australia’s Future?
Why was ARACY formed?
Concern about increasing problems of the health and wellbeing of Australia’s children and young people -
Modernity’s Paradox
Source: Keating & Hertzman 1999
Source: ABS Year Book, 2001
Australia’s GDP at current prices
Indicators of Poor Developmental Health which are Increasing in Australian Children and Youth
• Health Outcomes Low birth weight Complex diseases (asthma, diabetes, obesity) Mental Health problems, suicide
• Lifestyle risk factors Child abuse/neglect/domestic violence Behavioural problems, substance abuse
• Others Juvenile crime Learning disorders Disabilities (intellectual, physical)
Proportion of babies born at a low birth weight by SEIFA indices for WA, 1996–98
Source: d’Espaignet and Stanley (unpublished data)
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
Bottom 10% 10-25% 25-50% 50-75% 75-90% Top 10%
Percent
Overweight and obese 4-year-old children, South Australia,
1995-96 and 2000-01
Most advantagedQ1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Most disadvantagedQ5
Quintile of socioeconomic disadvantage of area
0
3
6
9
12
15
18
211995/96
RR=1.23
2000/01 RR=1.35
%
Source: Glover, PHIDU, Adelaide University (unpublished data)
www.australianedi.org.au
Bad Parenting….
Collaboration
ARACY facilitates multi-disciplinary collaborations across policy, practice and research sectors.
POLICY
PRACTICE RESEARCH
Communicating
• ARACY is an advocate for Australia’s children and young people
• Builds effective networks - eg. ARACY ARC/NHMRC Research Network
• Aims to bridge the ‘know-do’ gap
• Enhances communications
Communication Tools
• Webinars – online conferencing• Access Grid Seminars• Discussion Forums
All of these tools have enabled faster more cost effective transfer of
knowledge.
How will this benefit children & young people?
Clearinghouse – Evidence into Action
ARACY has made a commitment to make knowledge more accessible.
• Ensure the information will be directed to where it can make a difference to children & youth
• Put knowledge into action through the ‘Evidence into Action’ series
• Funding from the Telstra Foundation will help develop the ARACY clearinghouse
National Data Network
ARACY supported the progression of the National Data Network (NDN) in 2005.
• Monitoring• Evaluation• Causal Pathways• LSAC/LSIC• Australian Early Development Index
How can we make our society a better place for
children?• Accept and value diversity
• It takes a village to raise a child
• Put children in the centre of built and natural environments
• Regard parents as champions
• Foster other champions
CHILD
Community School
Family
Cultural
Economic Political
SocialCIVIL SOCIETYUNCIVIL SOCIETY
Focus on:
Equality/diversity
Trust, care
Collective good
Valuing parents
Valuingchildhoods
Prevention more than cures
Protected environments
Safe places for all
Effective use of helpful technologies
Child needs as well as adults
WorkplaceAccepting of:
Inequalities
Fear, violence
Priority for material wealth
Parents not valued
Fast tracking childhoods
Cures more than prevention
Environmental degradation
Safe places for the few
Excessive use of damaging technologies
Adults needs more than children’s
Children within Spheres of Influence
Why should we shift to a focus on prevention?
• Prevention is better than cure
• Too many of our responses are ‘too little too late’
• Pathways to many current problems are similar
Changes needed to shift the focus to prevention
Programs:
• Need to be broadened
• Must acknowledge the links across the life span
• Should aim prevention at the population level
• Should also reflect the diversity of communities
Recommendations for enhancing prevention
• Educate • Increase understanding
• Obtain data
• Place emphasis on preventative services
• Encourage more research
Joined-up solutions are required
• Joined-up Government
• ARACY collaborations across disciplines and sectors
• Joined-up solutions at the local level
“There can be no keener revelation of a
society’s soul than the way it treats its
children.”
Nelson Mandela