CQUni hosts World No Tobacco Day event
Published on 04 June, 2013
Marlene Longbottom is passionate about Indigenous Australians giving up tobacco smoking and improving Indigenous health outcomes. She was invited to present a seminar for the Office of Indigenous Engagement on this year's World No Tobacco Day...
Prof Bronwyn Fredericks with Lexie Jarrett from the CQUni Health Clinic
Marlene is a Yuin woman from the Shoalhaven region in NSW who started her health career as an Aboriginal Health Worker in Rockhampton. She is finalising a Master of Applied Science and is about to embark on a PhD embedded in the Vulnerable Families project she is currently leading at the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUHI) based in South-East Queensland.
As explained by Marlene, Indigenous Health Workers (IHWs) are vital members of the healthcare team, providing culturally safe and secure services to Indigenous communities. Their role is to provide a broad range of services, including clinical services and health education and information ensuring the exchange of health information occurs so that individuals and communities make informed decisions about their health care. The perception that IHWs should know better and lead by example is often a harsh, daily reality encountered by IHWs who smoke.
Marlene's presentation highlighted research undertaken in three remote Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. It covered IHWs smoking, the barriers to stopping and potential strategies for change through the views of IHWs, by bringing forth their voices.
Marlene Longbottom and Prof Bronwyn Fredericks
CQUniversity Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) and BMA Chair in Indigenous Engagement said that "Marlene's work is important when one considers that over half the adult Indigenous population smoke, and that smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities (1 in 10 adults worldwide)".
"Every year, on 31 May, WHO and partners mark World No Tobacco Day, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. We wanted to support this message this year," Prof Fredericks said.
