The Aboriginal Families Study is a prospective mother and child cohort study investigating the health and wellbeing of 344 Aboriginal children and their mothers living in urban, regional and remote areas of South Australia. The study was developed in response to gaps in the available evidence to inform health policy and services, and was preceded by extensive consultation with Aboriginal communities and services in South Australia. The study is being conducted by the Intergenerational Health Group at MCRI in partnership with the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. Major areas of focus include: maternal health and wellbeing; children's health, wellbeing and development; engagement with health services; and connections to family, community, culture and language.

 What is already known?

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, intergenerational trauma stems from ongoing impacts of colonisation, including racism and discrimination, disconnection from traditional lands, culture and language; policies of forced child removal; and constant grief and loss.

What this study adds

The Aboriginal Families Study was designed keeping policy and community goals in mind right from the start. The Aboriginal Families Study team have worked with Aboriginal communities in urban, regional and remote areas of South Australia to engage diverse Aboriginal families in the study. Our goal has been to enable the voices of diverse Aboriginal women and families in South Australia to inform policy and practice in health, education and social care settings. Publications and policy briefs to date focus on social determinants of women’s and children’s physical and mental health; identifying gaps in access to pregnancy, postnatal and primary care; and evidence that Aboriginal-led services in South Australia have improved women’s experiences and access to antenatal care.

AFS_Strong family connections hi res (1).png

 What’s next?

Wave 3 follow-up is planned as the study children reach 14-16 years of age. Longitudinal follow-up women and children in the cohort will generate new knowledge about factors promoting children and young people’s social and emotional wellbeing. Our goal is to build stronger understanding about the potential for key domains of social and emotional wellbeing (e.g. connection to community, family and kin, Country and spirituality) to buffer the impacts of social determinants of health, including intergenerational trauma and social inequity.

“I want my children to have a strong family connection and to feel loved and safe in that circle. I want my children to be kind and honest and trustworthy. I want them to be confident in who they are and where they come from”

— Study Participant

Community report

We are currently undertaking community feedback and consultations in preparation for wave 3 follow-up. To find out more, you are welcome to download the latest Aboriginal Families Study community report below.

About the artwork

Keeping young Aboriginal people strong because they are our future by Maude Parker, 2023.

The land is around the edges and supports the egg. Within the egg outline, the new futures and life for young Aboriginal people are represented. The central circle represents Aboriginal culture and the people around it keeping it strong and sharing. The other circles show the young people, supported by family, health workers and country, and the house represents shelter and safety. The two other circles represent cultural connections and safety of specific youth and general services. There are many paths young people travel (footprints) as they grow into strong adults.

Protocol

Systems change to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Maternal and Child Health Continuity of Care in South Australia

Report

Strong Culture Strong Young People: embedding Aboriginal culture in services and programs

Where can I read more?

  • Understanding cannabis use and mental health difficulties in context with women's experiences of stressful events and social health issues in pregnancy: The Aboriginal Families Study

    Mensah FK, Glover K, Leane C, Gartland D, Nikolof A, Clark Y, Gee G, Brown SJ. Compr Psychiatry 2024;131:152455

    Read here

  • Patterns of Health and Health Service Use in a Prospective Cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children Aged 5–9 Years Living in Urban, Regional and Remote Areas of South Australia

    Gartland D, Nikolof A, Glover K, Leane C, Cahir P, Hameed M, Brown SJ. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023;20(12):6172.

    Read here

  • Health care experiences and birth outcomes: results of an Aboriginal birth cohort

    Brown S, Gartland D, Weetra D, Leane C, Francis T, Mitchell A, Glover K. Women and Birth, 2019;32(5):404-411.

    Read here

  • Use of cannabis during pregnancy and birth outcomes in an Aboriginal birth cohort: a cross sectional population-based study

    Brown SJ, Mensah F, Ah Kit J, Stuart-Butler D, Glover K, Leane C, Weetra D, Newbury J, Yelland J. BMJ Open 2016;6(2), e010286

    Read here

  • Aboriginal Families Study Policy Brief No 7: Health consequences of family and community violence

    Brown SJ, Glover K, Leane C, Gartland D, Nikolof A, Weetra D et al. Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, 2021.

    Read here

  • Aboriginal Families Study Policy Brief No. 6: Social health issues - time for action

    Brown SJ, Glover K, Leane C, Gartland D, Nikolof A, Weetra D et al. Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, 2021.

    Read here

 Who can I contact for more information?

Karen Glover
Stephanie Brown