❓ Dr. Hames questions the minister on linking SIDS and accidental smothering in Aboriginal communities and seeks evidence of education efforts regarding smoking. The minister details actions taken by the Office of Aboriginal Health and Sids and Kids, including research, resource development, and training for Aboriginal health workers.
AnsweredQoN 610Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES - BABY DEATHS
I refer to the minister’s answers yesterday in response to questions on the unacceptably high incidence of sudden infant death syndrome in Aboriginal communities and her referral to the accidental smothering of babies by mothers. (1) Why does the minister and the Department for Community Development continue to link the two issues when the only relationship between the two is that babies die? (2) What action has the minister or any government department taken to educate Aboriginal women on how to reduce this tragic loss through both causes of death? (3) Will the minister provide evidence of one Aboriginal woman in Western Australia who has been told by government that smoking around babies significantly increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome? Ms S.M. McHALE
I refer to the minister’s answers yesterday in response to questions on the unacceptably high incidence of sudden infant death syndrome in Aboriginal communities and her referral to the accidental smothering of babies by mothers. (1) Why does the minister and the Department for Community Development continue to link the two issues when the only relationship between the two is that babies die? (2) What action has the minister or any government department taken to educate Aboriginal women on how to reduce this tragic loss through both causes of death? (3) Will the minister provide evidence of one Aboriginal woman in Western Australia who has been told by government that smoking around babies significantly increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) The answer to the last part of the question is yes. Yesterday I said that the research that had been conducted as a result of the work of Jane Freemantle indicated that SIDS is much higher in Aboriginal communities than it is in non-Aboriginal communities. I also said yesterday that this was very much a public health issue that is being addressed by the health department. Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
(1) Why does the minister and the Department for Community Development continue to link the two issues when the only relationship between the two is that babies die? (2) What action has the minister or any government department taken to educate Aboriginal women on how to reduce this tragic loss through both causes of death? (3) Will the minister provide evidence of one Aboriginal woman in Western Australia who has been told by government that smoking around babies significantly increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) The answer to the last part of the question is yes. Yesterday I said that the research that had been conducted as a result of the work of Jane Freemantle indicated that SIDS is much higher in Aboriginal communities than it is in non-Aboriginal communities. I also said yesterday that this was very much a public health issue that is being addressed by the health department. Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
(2) What action has the minister or any government department taken to educate Aboriginal women on how to reduce this tragic loss through both causes of death? (3) Will the minister provide evidence of one Aboriginal woman in Western Australia who has been told by government that smoking around babies significantly increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) The answer to the last part of the question is yes. Yesterday I said that the research that had been conducted as a result of the work of Jane Freemantle indicated that SIDS is much higher in Aboriginal communities than it is in non-Aboriginal communities. I also said yesterday that this was very much a public health issue that is being addressed by the health department. Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
(3) Will the minister provide evidence of one Aboriginal woman in Western Australia who has been told by government that smoking around babies significantly increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) The answer to the last part of the question is yes. Yesterday I said that the research that had been conducted as a result of the work of Jane Freemantle indicated that SIDS is much higher in Aboriginal communities than it is in non-Aboriginal communities. I also said yesterday that this was very much a public health issue that is being addressed by the health department. Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) The answer to the last part of the question is yes. Yesterday I said that the research that had been conducted as a result of the work of Jane Freemantle indicated that SIDS is much higher in Aboriginal communities than it is in non-Aboriginal communities. I also said yesterday that this was very much a public health issue that is being addressed by the health department. Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) The answer to the last part of the question is yes. Yesterday I said that the research that had been conducted as a result of the work of Jane Freemantle indicated that SIDS is much higher in Aboriginal communities than it is in non-Aboriginal communities. I also said yesterday that this was very much a public health issue that is being addressed by the health department. Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
(1)-(3) The answer to the last part of the question is yes. Yesterday I said that the research that had been conducted as a result of the work of Jane Freemantle indicated that SIDS is much higher in Aboriginal communities than it is in non-Aboriginal communities. I also said yesterday that this was very much a public health issue that is being addressed by the health department. Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
(1) Why does the minister and the Department for Community Development continue to link the two issues when the only relationship between the two is that babies die? (2) What action has the minister or any government department taken to educate Aboriginal women on how to reduce this tragic loss through both causes of death? (3) Will the minister provide evidence of one Aboriginal woman in Western Australia who has been told by government that smoking around babies significantly increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) The answer to the last part of the question is yes. Yesterday I said that the research that had been conducted as a result of the work of Jane Freemantle indicated that SIDS is much higher in Aboriginal communities than it is in non-Aboriginal communities. I also said yesterday that this was very much a public health issue that is being addressed by the health department. Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
(2) What action has the minister or any government department taken to educate Aboriginal women on how to reduce this tragic loss through both causes of death? (3) Will the minister provide evidence of one Aboriginal woman in Western Australia who has been told by government that smoking around babies significantly increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) The answer to the last part of the question is yes. Yesterday I said that the research that had been conducted as a result of the work of Jane Freemantle indicated that SIDS is much higher in Aboriginal communities than it is in non-Aboriginal communities. I also said yesterday that this was very much a public health issue that is being addressed by the health department. Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
(3) Will the minister provide evidence of one Aboriginal woman in Western Australia who has been told by government that smoking around babies significantly increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) The answer to the last part of the question is yes. Yesterday I said that the research that had been conducted as a result of the work of Jane Freemantle indicated that SIDS is much higher in Aboriginal communities than it is in non-Aboriginal communities. I also said yesterday that this was very much a public health issue that is being addressed by the health department. Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) The answer to the last part of the question is yes. Yesterday I said that the research that had been conducted as a result of the work of Jane Freemantle indicated that SIDS is much higher in Aboriginal communities than it is in non-Aboriginal communities. I also said yesterday that this was very much a public health issue that is being addressed by the health department. Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) The answer to the last part of the question is yes. Yesterday I said that the research that had been conducted as a result of the work of Jane Freemantle indicated that SIDS is much higher in Aboriginal communities than it is in non-Aboriginal communities. I also said yesterday that this was very much a public health issue that is being addressed by the health department. Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
(1)-(3) The answer to the last part of the question is yes. Yesterday I said that the research that had been conducted as a result of the work of Jane Freemantle indicated that SIDS is much higher in Aboriginal communities than it is in non-Aboriginal communities. I also said yesterday that this was very much a public health issue that is being addressed by the health department. Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Dr K.D. Hames : By whom? Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Ms S.M. McHALE : By the health department. I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
I can report to the house that in 2005 the Office of Aboriginal Health contacted Sids and Kids of Australia to develop strategies and materials that would be effective in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome among indigenous communities where the lay experience is that there is a significantly higher proportion of SIDS. Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Dr K.D. Hames : So you can find me an Aboriginal woman who knows about not smoking during pregnancy? Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Ms S.M. McHALE : Let me answer the member for Dawesville’s question and he will be better informed about what we are doing. The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
The Office of Aboriginal Health provided a grant to enable Sids and Kids to undertake research and consultation; to develop resources targeting factors associated with SIDS; to train individuals to deliver messages and resources to Aboriginal families; and to disseminate resources to relevant organisations and evaluate the use of these resources. The advisory group advises that the research and consultation process has now been completed. The advisory group found that the instance of SIDS is eight times higher among the indigenous population than among the non-indigenous population. Young indigenous mothers have a lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as consuming alcohol, smoking while pregnant and failing to attend regular antenatal care. On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriate information and understanding. On the other hand, to address that lack of information and understanding, we have developed culturally appropriate material on SIDS, which is available to the indigenous population. I understand that officers from Sids and Kids and the Office of Aboriginal Health are in the Kimberley today working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal mothers. New draft education resources have been developed and are currently being trialled with focus groups in both metropolitan and regional areas. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
Ms S.M. McHALE : I will repeat again, Mr Speaker, that young indigenous mothers generally have a total lack of understanding of SIDS and continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as smoking while they are pregnant, consuming alcohol and failing to attend regular antenatal care. Those three indicators underpin the work, education and raised awareness that are actually taking place. Finally, a training manual for Aboriginal health workers is being developed. The target and the work that is being done through the Department of Health includes undertaking research, undertaking work with Aboriginal mothers, developing resources and training individuals to deliver the messages. This work in part has been generated by the research that was undertaken as a result of this government’s initiatives relating to deaths of children in Western Australia and through the funding we gave Jane Freemantle and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research so that we know what is happening. We now know more about what is happening to children than ever before. When I was Minister for Community Development, we learnt an enormous amount about what was happening. We have translated that into highly targeted responses.
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