First Nations Communities’ Strategies for Addressing COVID-19: Preparedness and Concerns
Tracks
Library
| Wednesday, August 28, 2024 |
| 11:45 AM - 12:05 PM |
Overview
Associate Professor Kylie Radel, CQUniversity
Speaker
Associate Professor Kylie Radel
Principal Research Fellow, Office Of Indigenous Engagement
Central Queensland University
First Nations Communities’ Strategies for Addressing COVID-19: Preparedness and Concerns
Abstract
Australian First Nations communities, including remote communities, were particularly vulnerable to the risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic event management falls under national and state all-hazard disaster management arrangements. In most jurisdictions, local governments are responsible for managing events through their Local Disaster Management Groups (LDMG), supported by district and state level groups. This study sought to investigate the capacity of regional and remote local governments of Australian First Nations Communities to develop and deploy pandemic disaster management strategies and plans. The study investigated the preparedness, responses, concerns, and capabilities of communities at the forefront of the pandemic disaster.
RESEARCH APPROACH
Two key research questions underpinned this project:
1. What are the issues, challenges, and recommendations for implementing effective local disaster management planning for First Nations Communities in regional and remote Australia ?
2. How does health information within First Nations Communities inform preparation, preparedness, response, and recovery (PPRR) for pandemic management?
KEY RESEARCH ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
1. Literature review of implementation of local disaster management planning in regional and remote First Nations communities as a result of COVID-19.
2. Desktop analysis of 82 Local Disaster Management Plans (LDMPs) nationally.
3. Interviews with key stakeholders in Queensland including remote local government and LDMG members, and remote community members.
4. Data analysis and synthesis.
5. Targeted dissemination of research findings and recommendations.
KEY FINDINGS
The COVID-19 pandemic provided challenges across the nation due to the unprecedented scale of the pandemic and its sustained nature. The complexity and magnitude of the pandemic required changing legislative, policy, and operational responses. However, First Nations regional and remote communities, with highly vulnerable populations, face additional challenges due to embedded social and economic inequities including access to adequate health services, housing, and other resources and infrastructure.
RESEARCH APPROACH
Two key research questions underpinned this project:
1. What are the issues, challenges, and recommendations for implementing effective local disaster management planning for First Nations Communities in regional and remote Australia ?
2. How does health information within First Nations Communities inform preparation, preparedness, response, and recovery (PPRR) for pandemic management?
KEY RESEARCH ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
1. Literature review of implementation of local disaster management planning in regional and remote First Nations communities as a result of COVID-19.
2. Desktop analysis of 82 Local Disaster Management Plans (LDMPs) nationally.
3. Interviews with key stakeholders in Queensland including remote local government and LDMG members, and remote community members.
4. Data analysis and synthesis.
5. Targeted dissemination of research findings and recommendations.
KEY FINDINGS
The COVID-19 pandemic provided challenges across the nation due to the unprecedented scale of the pandemic and its sustained nature. The complexity and magnitude of the pandemic required changing legislative, policy, and operational responses. However, First Nations regional and remote communities, with highly vulnerable populations, face additional challenges due to embedded social and economic inequities including access to adequate health services, housing, and other resources and infrastructure.
Biography
Dr Kylie Radel is a Principal Research Fellow with the Office of Indigenous Engagement, CQUniversity. Dr Radel's research concentrations are disaster management in rural and remote Australian communities, Indigenous engagement, and Grounded Theory methodology. An author on over 60 peer-reviewed publications, Dr Radel has been the chief or associate investigator on over $980,000 in funded research projects and is currently managing the BMA/CQUniversity partnership program for a total of $3.75 million. Dr Radel has received prestigious teaching awards including a national citation for outstanding contributions to Indigenous student learning, and an international award for excellence in literacy and Indigenous education.
