NHMRC opened the Targeted Call for Research (TCR): Commercial determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health (CDoH) on 4 October 2023. Applications closed on 13 December 2023.
This TCR was prioritised by the NHMRC Principal Committee Indigenous Caucus and aims to encourage innovative, ground-breaking research on the CDoH of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and how it compounds with social, cultural and economic factors to positively or negatively influence health outcomes and how negative influences may be mediated.
The objectives of the TCR were to:
- Assess the health and equity impacts of commercial activities on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations
- Identify and understand the CDoH of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their influence on health equity and the burden of disease within communities. This includes the interplay between the social, cultural and commercial determinants of health (e.g. racism, housing, gambling, sexual health, nutrition, inactivity, employment, environmental impacts, connection to country, etc.)
- Understand the effects of the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in companies, including workforce expectations and mental health costs and the flow-on effects of CDoH
- Evaluate the effectiveness of government regulation in mitigating health and equity impacts of CDoH, including understanding the methods and effectiveness of commercial sector influence on public health policies
- Determine the positive and negative impact of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) on the CDoH, including mitigation strategies.
It is expected that the outcomes of the TCR grant opportunity will:
- Develop evidence that contributes towards a response to strengthen ethical, legal, community and social systems to address CDoH
- Contribute towards information that will empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to take action in response to CDoH
- Inform the design and development of policy impacting on health and health service delivery, that recognises and adjusts for the interplay between the social, cultural and commercial determinants of health on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Improve health and wellbeing, leading to closing the gap in life expectancy and improved quality of life which may include innovative multidisciplinary (including Indigenous knowledges) models and novel interventions.
