Centring our knowledges: Development of the Indigenous Quality of Wellbeing Index for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Tracks
Ballroom 1 - In-Person Only
Ballroom 2 - In-Person & Virtual via OnAIR
Ballroom 3 - In-Person Only
Ballroom 4 - In-Person Only
| Tuesday, October 13, 2026 |
| 8:40 AM - 9:10 AM |
Overview
Professor Ray Lovett
Director Mayi Kuwayu | Director Culture and Wellbeing Research Yardhura Walani
Presenter
Professor Ray Lovett
Director Culture And Wellbeing Research
Australian National University
Centring our knowledges: Development of the Indigenous Quality of Wellbeing Index for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Presentation Overview
Decisions regarding health policies, programs/services and interventions are heavily influenced by measures of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and Health State Utility (HSU). Existing or adapted HRQoL and HSU measures fail to capture Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conceptions of health and wellbeing, which encompass the social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing of the community and health of Country, undermining the appropriateness and effectiveness of health decision-making for Indigenous peoples.
This presentation will highlight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conceptions of wellbeing centring quality of life and health state utility require decolonising and rebuilding grounded in culture. I will discuss the processes involved in building from the ground up the first comprehensive Indigenous IQoW utility index, harnessing the Mayi Kuwayu Study – Australia’s national Indigenous led and governed cohort study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing. This will be a world-first Indigenous wellbeing index that will inform better policies, programs and services in response to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ wellbeing needs and create a model of conceptualising and measuring Indigenous wellbeing that could be adapted inter- (Nation)ally.
This presentation will highlight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conceptions of wellbeing centring quality of life and health state utility require decolonising and rebuilding grounded in culture. I will discuss the processes involved in building from the ground up the first comprehensive Indigenous IQoW utility index, harnessing the Mayi Kuwayu Study – Australia’s national Indigenous led and governed cohort study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing. This will be a world-first Indigenous wellbeing index that will inform better policies, programs and services in response to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ wellbeing needs and create a model of conceptualising and measuring Indigenous wellbeing that could be adapted inter- (Nation)ally.
Biography
Professor Raymond Lovett is one of Australia’s most influential and respected Indigenous (Ngiyampaa/Wongaibon) epidemiologists. Professor Lovett leads the Mayi Kuwayu cohort study which has informed the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan. Professor Lovett was instrumental in founding the National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research: Yardhura Walani at Australian National University and has extensive experience in policy and practice implementation. Professor Lovett has a reputation for building Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander majority teams and leading large-scale research programs that translate to tangible and enduring benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. He was Fulbright Scholar to Harvard School of Public Health in 2024 and was made a member of the order of Australia (AM) in 2025 for his service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health as an epidemiologist.
