CQUniversity's Professor Bronwyn Fredericks was among a multinational group of researchers who met recently to focus on heart failure amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Pacific Islanders and Maori...

Professor Fredericks visited Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi (Indigenous University), Whakatane, New Zealand. She was there in her role as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) and BMA Chair in Indigenous Engagement.

Prof Fredericks (seated third from left) among researchers at Te Whare Wânanga o Awanuiârangi (Indigenous University)

"Research into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Pacific Islanders with heart failure is already taking place in Ipswich and with Hispanics in California using a similar intervention program," she said.

"‘Heart failure is experienced by 2% of the Australian population and 13% of people over 65. It is a significant concern that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with heart failure experience a death rate three times higher than that for non-Indigenous people."

Professor Fredericks visited Awanuiarangi with researchers from Queensland University of Technology, University of California San Francisco, Queensland Health and the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation. Participants included Dr John Atherton, Director of Cardiology, Royal Brisbane Hospital; Dr Johannes Moolman, Cardiologist, Ipswich Hospital; and Cardiac Nurse Researcher, A/Professor Robyn Clark, QUT.

The meeting enabled the sharing of heart failure management and research and to develop a program based in Whakatane, New Zealand. This new work will contribute to a larger Pacific Rim project and broader sharing of findings.

The researchers were awarded $25,000 from the Pacific Rim Research Program (Uni of California San Francisco) and $5000 from CQUniversity's Collaborative Research Network (CRN) to hold the meeting.

Prof Fredericks (fifth from left) among researchers at the Maori Health Services, Whakatane, New Zealand