Background: A critical shortage of appropriate cardiovascular educational resources for Aboriginal consumers and their families has been repeatedly identified by both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal health professionals. Of those heart health resources available none had been specifically targeted at Aboriginal people in Western Australia.
A collaboration of health organisations funded the development of resources as part of the “My Heart My Family Our Culture” project (Healthway, Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Department of Health and Aging and Department of Health, WA). The project, led by Aboriginal staff at the Heart Foundation, involved extensive consultation with community people and health professionals. Resources covering risk factors and heart attack warning signs were produced for health professionals and consumers respectively and included flipcharts, posters, fridge magnet, DVD, fact sheets and recipe booklet. Orientation to the resources and cultural awareness training, if required, was provided to health professionals who disseminate the resources. Semi structured surveys were carried out to evaluate the resources.
Results: Evaluation findings from consumers and a wide variety of health professionals have been very positive. The resources have been utilised in many settings and disseminated at community events, hospitals, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, General practice and prisons.
Conclusion: My Heart My Family Our Culture educational resources have been well received by consumers, Aboriginal health workers and non Aboriginal health professionals working with the Aboriginal community. Culturally safe educational materials that support participation and empowerment are an important adjunct to verbal communication in the promotion of health messages.