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A snapshot of physical activity programs targetingAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia
Rona MacnivenA,C, Michelle ElwellB, Kathy RideB, Adrian BaumanA and Justin RichardsA
APrevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School (6N52), Level 6 The Hub,Charles Perkins Centre (D17), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
BAustralian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, Edith Cowan University, 2 Bradford Street, Mount Lawley, WA 6050, Australia.CCorresponding author. Email: [email protected]
AbstractIssue addressed: Participation in physical activity programs can be an effective strategy to reduce chronic disease risk factorsand improve broader social outcomes. Health and social outcomes are worse among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders thannon-Indigenous Australians, who represent an important group for culturally specific programs. The extent of current practicein physical activity programs is largely unknown. This study identifies such programs targeting this population group anddescribes their characteristics.Methods: Bibliographic and Internet searches and snowball sampling identified eligible programs operating between 2012and 2015 in Australia (phase 1). Program coordinators were contacted to verify sourced information (phase 2). Descriptivecharacteristics were documented for each program.Results: A total of 110 programs were identified across urban, rural and remote locations within all states and territories. Only11 programs were located through bibliographic sources; the remainder through Internet searches. The programs aimed toinfluence physical activity for health or broader social outcomes. Sixty five took place in community settings and most involvedmultiple sectors such as sport, health and education. Almost all were free for participants and involved Indigenous stakeholders.Themajority receivedGovernment funding andhad commencedwithin the last decade.More than20programs reachedover 1000people each; 14 reached 0–100 participants. Most included process or impact evaluation indicators, typically reflecting their aims.Conclusion: This snapshot provides a comprehensive description of current physical activity program provision for Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander people across Australia. The majority of programs were only identified through the grey literature. Manyprograms collect evaluation data, yet this is underrepresented in academic literature.
So what? Capturing current practice can inform future efforts to increase the impact of physical activity programs to improvehealth and social indicators. Targeted, culturally relevant programs are essential to reduce levels of disadvantage experiencedby Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Key words: chronic disease, participation, program evaluation.
Received 2 May 2016, accepted 11 November 2016, published online 19 January 2017
Introduction
Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor associatedwith theburdenofdisease for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults.1
Less than half of those aged 18 years and over living in non-remoteareas achieved the minimum national guidelines of at least 150minof physical activity per week, a rate lower than that of the generalpopulation.2 Yet before European colonisation of Australia, anactive hunter-gatherer lifestyle was evident, suggesting that morecontemporary introduced factors that have contributed to currenthealth disparities.3 Physical activity levels in Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander children are higher than among non-Indigenouschildren at 48% versus 35%4 which may reflect higher levels of non-formal active play.
The term ‘program’ has been defined as a series of activities orevents that run over a period of time, or a collection of activitiesor events with a particular focus.5 Programs designed to increasephysical activity are an effective strategy to reduce chronic diseaserisk factors.6 Targeting vulnerable population groups holdsparticular promise given the known associations between lowlevels of physical activity and socioeconomic disadvantage.7
Journal compilation � Australian Health Promotion Association 2017 CSIRO Publishing www.publish.csiro.au/journals/hpja
Health Promotion Journal of Australiahttp://dx.doi.org/10.1071/HE16036
Considering the unique historical context and health experiencesof Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally specificapproaches to program interventions are important.8 Suchapproaches have been signalled to represent best practice by keystakeholders.9 Sport, health and community sectors are commonlyinvolved in the delivery of programs, many of which claim toachieve health and social benefits through participation.
Demonstrated evidence of the effectiveness of physical activityprograms for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is limited.A review published in 200410 identified only one interventionprogram that achieved improvements in physical activity levels ina remote community. A more recent systematic review examinedthe effectiveness of group-based sport and exercise programsfor Indigenous adults.11 Six studies identified in the reviewdemonstrated the effectiveness in achieving health outcomes,such as increased physical activity and reduced weight. Thisdocumentation of current program provision and scope in at-riskpopulations signifies the initial step required to develop theevidence base of best practice.12 The growing rise of informationavailable through online sources provides an opportunity to locatedetails on the delivery of additional programs and services. The aimof this study was to identify physical activity and sport programstargeting Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peopleand to describe their characteristics including location, participantnumbers and evaluation measures.
Methods
Search strategyA variety of strategies were used to identify existing programinformation. First, the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNetBibliography (http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/key-resources/bibliography, verified 12 December 2016) was searched with thehealth topic ‘physical activity’. Forward and backward citationtracking of articles was also conducted. Second, the HealthInfoNet’scollection of programs and projects that address physical activityamong Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peopleswas also searched13 and the primary website link for each relevantprogram was located. Additional programs known to the authorswere also documented and considered for inclusion.
The following inclusion criteria were applied for identified programs:* Targets Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
– Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific program– Targeted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander component
* Program delivery includes promoting sport or physical activityparticipation– Aims to increase physical activity levels for health benefits– Uses sport as a tool to improve social and communityoutcomes, such as education participation, reduced crimerates
* Operated in Australia at any stage from 2012 to search period(March–September 2015), reflecting current or recent practice.
Data collection
Fig. 1 depicts the process of program identification and inclusion.
Phase 1: Internet and desktop researchData were extracted during February and March 2015 by thelead author. For each selected program, information was collatedusing a structured template to document the following aspects:identification (ID) number; program name; timescale; aims; typeand focus (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific or targetedelement); setting (e.g. community, school); region (urban, rural orremote); target group (e.g. adults, children); number of participants;involvement of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders(yes, no or unknown); process and impact evaluation measures(e.g. physical activity and fitness level, health or social indicators);funding source (e.g. Government, private sector), cost to participants;sectors involved (e.g. health, sport); contact details.
Phase 2: Contact with program coordinatorsDuring April–May 2015, the lead author attempted to contactcoordinator(s) for each program identified in phase 1. Where anemail address was available, program coordinators were sent apersonalised email that contained a Microsoft Excel spread sheetof the information relevant to their program. They were asked toreview, verify and return the information. If no email responsewas received, follow-up emails and telephone calls were madeon two occasions during July–December 2015. Where telephonecontact was made in the first instance, an explanation of thesnapshot project was given, followed by a request for an emailaddress to send the relevant program information. Where programcoordinators offered information on additional programs thathad not previously been identified by the authors, phase 1 and 2processes were repeated for these programs.
Data synthesis
The contact details for each program coordinator were removed topreserve anonymity. Programs were alphabetically listed withintheir population targeted age group categories of adults; youngpeople and adults and young people. Data on participant numberswere summarised into four categories: 0–100 participants; 100–500participants; 500–1000 participants; and over 1000 participants,reflecting previous categorisation in similar work.12 Evaluationindicators were categorised as a ‘process’, such as participation orretention rates, or ‘impact’,14 for example, physical activity andfitness level; health indicators, defined as any widely recognisedindicator of physical or mental health status (e.g. blood pressure,weight, diet, smoking); and social indicators, defined as any broadersocietal indicator of benefit (e.g. school attendance, crime rates).Descriptive characteristics were documented for each programaspect. Multiple categories were described where applicable.
The study was approved by the University of Sydney Human EthicsReview Committee (2015/149).
2 Health Promotion Journal of Australia R. Macniven et al.
Results
A total of 110 programs (Fig. 1) were included in the final results;78 of which had information confirmed by coordinators (71%).Table 1 presents descriptive information of the program settings,population focus, costs to participants and Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander stakeholder involvement. Table 2 outlines detailedinformation of the physical activity programs, including programnames. The initial Bibliography search resulted in 11 relevantprograms. Thirty nine programs targeted adults, 34 targeted youngpeople and 37 targeted adults and young people. Fourteenprograms operated nationally, three in the Australian CapitalTerritory (ACT), 21 in New South Wales (NSW), 11 in the Northern
Territory (NT), 16 in Queensland (Qld) including one in the TorresStrait, two in South Australia (SA), one in Tasmania (Tas.), 12 in Victoria(Vic.), 24 in Western Australia (WA) and seven across two or morestate or territory jurisdictions. Five programs commenced before2000 and had operated continuously since starting, with one inoperation since 1970. Thirty three programs commenced between2000 and 2010, of which 21 were still operating; 35 programscommenced between 2010 and 2012, with 19 still operating. Justunder a quarter of programs (n= 23) commenced between 2013and 2015; four of which were ending by the end of 2015. Oneprogram commenced in 2009 and included an Aboriginal elementfrom 2012. For 13 programs, the time period was unknown.
Phase 1: Internet/desktop research
Phase 2: Contact with program coordinators
Potential programs identified: 110Bibliographic search = 11HealthInfoNet collection = 99
Program email address
YES: 83 NO: 27
Program websiteform
YES: 2 NO: 25
Additional identification(including contact details) = 16
Programtelephone number
YES: 21 NO: 4
Contact made with program coordinators: 122
110 programs included in snapshot Programs excluded: 16not defined as program = 5did not involve physical activity = 5did not involve Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander people = 2not within the timescale = 2duplicated another program = 2
Information confirmed: 78email = 35; telephone = 43
Fig. 1. Flow chart of program identification and inclusion across phases 1 and 2.
Aboriginal physical activity programs Health Promotion Journal of Australia 3
Most program aims related to increasing physical activity for specifichealth and fitness gains, such as improving chronic disease riskfactors like lowering weight and blood pressure. Nine programsfocussed on social gains such as improving educational outcomes(e.g. school attendance), reducing crime rates or increasingemployability. Some programs (n= 21) cited both health and socialaims. Twenty five programs were conducted in all (urban, rural andremote) regions; 25 across urban and rural only; and six across ruraland remote only. Fifty three programs were conducted in singleregions; 27, 12 and 15 programs in urban, rural and remote regions.
Three programs claimed to reach the whole population directly.Fourteenprograms involved0–100participants, 16 involved100–500participants, six involved 500–1000 participants and 22 involvedover 1000 participants. Some programs documented participationnumbers on an annual basis and others for the entire time periodof the program. For 49 programs, the number of participants wasunknown. Most programs (n= 65) included evaluation indicators:23 had process indicators only; 22 had impact indicators only and20 had both process and impact indicators. Of the programs withimpact indicators, most measured multiple indicators: 15 examinedphysical activity or fitness level; 26 examined health measuressuch as weight or chronic disease biomarkers; 20 examined socialindicators such as school attendance and two examined qualitativemeasures. Thirty eight programs did not have evaluation indicatorsand seven programs were unknown.
Forty one programs received funding from more than one source.The majority of programs (n= 86) received government support:49 from the Australian Government, 23 of which received additionalfunding from other sources; 27 from state or territory governments;and nine from local government. Nine programs received fundingfrom Aboriginal organisations such as community controlled healthor medical services, four in conjunction with other sources. Arounda quarter received charity or philanthropic funding (n= 25) and sixreceived funding from non-governmental organisations (NGOs).Fourteen programs received private sector funding and one wassolely funded through participant costs. For 10 programs thefunding source was unknown. Almost all programs (n= 98) weredelivered through partnerships across multiple sectors, comprisingcommunity, education, health, media, police, sport, local government,workplace, charities and NGOs. Nine programs charged costs toparticipants; two of these were initially free for 2–3 years withsubsequent costs of A$2 per session. Costs for the other sevenprograms were typically $5 per session (n= 5) or a specific fee for aterm or year.
Discussion
These findings represent the first time that programs promotingphysical activity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplein Australia have been documented collectively, describing patternsof current program provision. Previous reviews have elicited onlya small number of relevant studies. The scope of this snapshot wasprograms containing published or online information only. Theremay be many additional programs in existence, yet without suchpresence information is difficult to source. However, given theincreased proliferation of information available online in the pasttwo decades, it is expected that this snapshot provides an accurateportrayal of current program provision. This is important as sharinginformation about program practice is an important part of effectivehealth promotion and can serve to guide future initiatives.
The Ottawa Charter outlines a settings based approach to effectivehealth promotion.15 We found most programs were delivered incommunity, followed by school, settings. Both have proven efficacyin achieving health outcomes.6 They are likely be particularlyeffective settings for reaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople given the importance of holistic health promotion andwhole-of-community approaches.16 The majority of programs weidentified focussed specifically on Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander people, demonstrating provision of targeted, culturallyrelevant interventions; a recognised model of good practice.9
Given the diversity of communities and cultural groups acrossAustralia, varied approaches to, and opportunities for, physicalactivity specific to local populations are required. Cultural adaptationof mainstream programs through a targeted Aboriginal elementoccurred in nine programs; this is also commendable as suchprograms have demonstrated representative reach of Aboriginalparticipants.17 Program participation occurred across urban, rural
Table 1. Setting, population focus, costs to participants andstakeholder involvement (n=110 programs)
Program aspect Category Number ofprograms
Program setting Community 62School 9Both community and school 9Sport 9Health 9Both university and sport 2Both health and sport 1Non-governmental organisation 1Residential service 1Residential camp 1University 1Both university and community 1Both health and community 1Media 1Both media and community 1Telephone-based 1
Population focus Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander people
101
Targeted AboriginalA component 9Costs to participant Yes 9
No 100Unknown 1
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Yes 93Islander Stakeholder No 4involvement Unknown 13
ARefers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
4 Health Promotion Journal of Australia R. Macniven et al.
Table
2.Ph
ysical
activity
program
stargetingAboriginal
andTo
rres
StraitIsland
erpeo
ple
AFL,A
ustralianFootballLeague;A
RMtour,A
thletesandRo
leMod
elstour;N
ASC
A:N
ationalA
borig
inalSportin
gChanceAcade
my;NGO,non
-governm
entalo
rganisation;NRL,N
ationalRug
byLeague;
ACT
,AustralianCapitalTerritory;Qld,Q
ueen
sland;NSW
,New
SouthWales;N
T,NorthernTerrito
ry;SA,Sou
thAustralia;Tas.,Tasm
ania;Vic.,Victoria;W
A,W
estern
Australia
IDLo
cation
Prog
ram
name
Timeperiod
Aim
sRe
gionB
Participan
tnu
mbers
Evalua
tion
indicatorsC
Sectorsinvo
lved
Fund
ingsource
Adults
1NSW
1DeadlyStep
2011-present
Prom
otescreen
ing,early
detectionandfollow
upof
chronicdisease
incommun
ities
Urban,rural
200
PROCESS
Com
mun
ity,
health,spo
rtStateor
Territo
ryGovernm
ent
2NT,Qld
Amultip
lehe
alth
behaviou
rchange
grou
pfor
Indige
nous
Australians
attend
ing
reside
ntial
substanceabuse
treatm
ent
2014–15
Exam
inethefeasibility
ofan
8-weekgrou
p-based
healthylifestyleinterven
tion
inIndige
nous
substance
abuseservices
tohe
lpredu
cesm
oking,
improvediet,increase
physicalactivity
Urban,rural
42IMPA
CT:physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health
Com
mun
ity,
health,N
GO
Charityfund
s
3WA
Abo
riginalladies
grou
pUnkno
wn
Increase
physicalactivity
throug
hweeklywalking
prog
ram
Urban,rural
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,
health
Philanthrop
y,charity
fund
s
4NSW
Abo
riginalNam
bucca
walkers
Unkno
wn
Increaseph
ysicalactivity
throug
hweeklywalking
prog
ram
Urban,rural
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,
health
Philanthrop
y,charity
fund
s5
WA
Abo
riginalwom
en’s
exercise
grou
p2011-present
Offerarang
eof
cultu
rally
approp
riate
exercise
activities
towom
en,such
ascircuittraining
,fit-bo
Urban
30PR
OCESS,
IMPA
CT:
health
Com
mun
ityAustralian
Governm
ent,
local
governmen
t6
WA
Bind
jarebyorgas
health
prog
ram
A2012-present
Deliver
grou
pfitnesssessions
forwom
en,develop
know
ledg
eof
the
impo
rtance
ofph
ysical
activity
inmaintaining
health
andwellb
eing
,grou
pwalks
onnativeland
toen
courageparticipation
incommun
ityprojectsto
iden
tifyandconserve
nativefloraand
faun
a
Rural
Unkno
wn
IMPA
CT:health
,social
Com
mun
ity,health
Australian
Governm
ent,
localh
ealth
service,NGO
7NSW
,Vic.
Bran
Nue
Me,Better
Your
Health
and
Fitness
2012
Provideaspecificexercise
prog
ram
forpe
oplewith
orat
riskof
developing
chronicdiseasewho
need
help
tolose
weigh
tandge
tfit
Urban,rural
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
Abo
riginal
organisatio
ns
(con
tinuednextpa
ge)
Aboriginal physical activity programs Health Promotion Journal of Australia 5
8Qld
Eathe
althy,drink
healthy,livehe
althy
campaign
2014-present
Inspire
peop
leto
eathe
althy,
drinkhe
althyandlive
healthyto
redu
cetheir
riskof
developing
type
2diabetes
Rural
Unkno
wn
Non
eHealth
Philanthrop
y
9WA
Exercise
asmed
icinein
Indige
nous
health
2012
Assessing
theeffectsof
implem
entin
gan
exercise
prog
ram
incorporatingthe
ACSM
/AHAgu
idelines
for
physicalactivity
andhe
alth
onph
ysiologicaland
quality
oflife
adaptatio
ns
Urban
40IMPA
CT:physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health
Com
mun
ity,
education
Unkno
wn
10WA
Fit4Work
2015-present
Improveph
ysicalfitness,self-
confi
dence,presen
tatio
nskills
andne
tworking
oppo
rtun
ities
Urban
8PROCE
SSEducation,NGO,
workplace
Charityfund
s
11Vic.
FitzroyStarsFootball
NetballClubA
1970-present
Create
adiversionarystrategy
for
youth,provideasafeplacefor
peop
leto
gettoge
ther
and
participatein
sport
Urban
Unkno
wn
IMPA
CT:health
,social
Com
mun
ity,
sport
Unkno
wn
12National
FootyMeans
Busine
ssprog
ram
2011-present
Usethepo
werofsporttoen
gage
andprovidetalent,
employmen
tandleadership
developm
entop
portun
ities
formen
aged
10–24years
throug
h2AFL
facilitated
reside
ntialw
eeks
All
~250
IMPA
CT:social
Com
mun
ity,
sport
Privatesector
13NSW
,ACT,
Tas.,Qld,
SA
Get
Health
yInform
ationand
CoachingService®
(GetHealth
yService)
2009-present;
Abo
riginal
compo
nent
since2012
Supp
ortin
gadults,especially
thoseat
riskof
developing
chronicdisease,to
make
lifestylechange
sforph
ysical
activity
andnu
trition
throug
h6mon
thsof
health
coaching
orinform
ation-on
lypackage.
Abo
riginalmod
ule:accessto
acultu
rally
approp
riate
service,
specificcoaching
and
materials
All
23650en
rolled
2009–2013;793
Abo
riginal(4.7%
in2013)
IMPA
CT:physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health
Health
Stateor
Territo
rygo
vernmen
t
14NSW
HEA
LInG
prog
ram:
healthyeatin
gactivities
(and
)lifestyles(fo
r)Indige
nous
grou
ps
2003-present
Providerealistic
andpractical
inform
ationon
healthyeatin
gandlifestyleactivities
throug
h10
weeklysessions
includ
ing
anho
urexercise
class
Rural
Over100
PROCE
SSCom
mun
ity,
health,N
GO
Charityfund
s,local
health
service
Table
2.(con
tinue
d)
IDLo
cation
Prog
ram
name
Timeperiod
Aim
sRe
gion
BPa
rticipan
tnu
mbers
Evalua
tion
indicatorsC
Sectorsinvo
lved
Fund
ingsource
6 Health Promotion Journal of Australia R. Macniven et al.
15WA
Health
yandactivein
theWestKimbe
rley
(HAWK)
now!
2010–2014
Offerlowim
pact
exercise
optio
ns,health
ylifestyle
worksho
psto
thecommun
ity,
includ
ingwalking
grou
ps,
aqua
fitness,streng
thtraining
andsportsforadu
ltswith
,orat
riskof
developing
,chron
icdisease
Rural,remote
5000
PROCESS,
IMPA
CT:
health
Com
mun
ity,health
,NGO
Australian
Governm
ent,
local
governmen
t
16NSW
Health
yexercise
and
training
prog
ram
2012-present
Improvehe
althandwellbeing
bytargetingpo
sitivelifestyle
behaviou
rsinclud
ingexercise
Urban,rural
Unkno
wn
IMPA
CT:physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health
Com
mun
ity,health
Australian
Governm
ent,
Med
icare,Ru
ral
Doctors
Network,
universities
17NSW
Health
ylifestyle
prog
ram
A2007-present
Deliver
a12-w
eekprog
ram
with
weeklymeetin
gsinclud
ingaweigh
-in,talkon
healthyeatin
gor
activity,m
eal
prep
aration,an
exercise
session
Rural
35Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
Abo
riginal
organisatio
ns
18National
Health
ystart,he
althy
life
2010–2014
Develop
aknow
ledg
ebase
and
evaluatetoolsand
resourcesto
assistredu
ctionof
riskfactors,
prom
otehe
alth
andsupp
ort
clinicalbe
stpracticein
preven
tion,de
tectionand
managem
entof
chronic
diseases.
All
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
Australian
Governm
ent
19WA
Hearthe
alth
‘for
our
peop
le,byou
rpe
ople’A
2009-present
Deliver
aweeklyprog
ram
coverin
gavariety
oftopics
includ
ingph
ysicalactivity
Urban
Unkno
wn
PROCESS,
IMPA
CT:
physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health
Com
mun
ity,health
Unkno
wn
20National
Herorewards
2010–2013
Improvehe
alth
throug
hprom
otinganden
couraging
theuseof
followup
care
services,and
thosethroug
hlocalA
borig
inalandTorres
StraitIsland
erhe
alth
services,
includ
ingph
ysicalactivity
All
Unkno
wn
IMPA
CT:health
Com
mun
ity,health
Australian
Governm
ent
21SA
Keep
itcorka
2013-present
Supp
ortcom
mun
ities
topreven
tchronicdiseasethroug
hph
ysicalactivity
sessions,
nutrition
education,sm
oking
cessation
Urban
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
Philanthrop
y
(con
tinuednextpa
ge)
Aboriginal physical activity programs Health Promotion Journal of Australia 7
22WA
Life
atthecore
2010–2014
Improvethehe
alth
andwell
beingof
reside
nts
Urban
Unkno
wn
PROCESS,
IMPA
CT:
health
Com
mun
ity,health
,localg
overnm
ent
Australian
Governm
ent
23National
Live
long
er!
2010–2014
Supp
ortcommun
ities
to‘Get
active,eatgo
odtucker,livelong
er!Provide
fund
ingforlocal
commun
itycampaigns
All
Unkno
wn
PROCESS
Com
mun
ity,health
Australian
Governm
ent
24WA
Live
wellcam
paign
Kimbe
rly2008–2013
Deliver
amed
iacampaign
toprom
oteregu
lar
physicalactivity
and
healthydiet
incommun
ities,im
provelifestyle
andredu
ceriskfactorsforchronic
diseases
Rural,remote
Unkno
wn
Unkno
wn
Com
mun
ity,health
,med
iaStateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t
25NSW
Lyrebird
Exercise
Classes
2010-present
Increase
regu
larph
ysical
activity,deliver
cultu
rally
approp
riate
prog
rams
fordifferent
fitness
abilities,de
velopaho
me
exercise
prog
ram,train
Abo
riginalfitnessleaders
Urban
294participants;5
Abo
riginal
fitnessleaders
traine
d
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
Localh
ealth
service
26Qld
Mangabaydh
ingiga
gang
gund
ibim
bi2010-present
Improveandprom
ote
better
health
forpe
ople
livingwith
chronicand
complex
care
need
s
Urban,rural
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
Unkno
wn
27Vic.
MilduraAbo
riginal
Health
Service
walking
prog
ram
Unkno
wn
Increase
physicalactivity
throug
hweeklywalking
prog
ram
Urban,rural
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
Philanthrop
y,charity
fund
s
28NSW
Moo
tang
tarim
i(living
long
er)o
utreach
screen
ingprog
ram
2008-present
Improvechronicdisease
outcom
esthroug
hmob
ilebu
sservice,
includ
inged
ucation
onsm
oking,exercise,
diet,w
eigh
tloss
Urban,rural
1350
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
Stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t
29Qld
Move
2011–2014
Raiseaw
aren
essof
bene
fits
ofph
ysicalactivity,promote
healthylifestylechoices
andregu
laraccess
tohe
alth
services
andprog
rams
topreven
tandmanage
chronicdiseases
Urban
Unkno
wn
PROCESS
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mun
ity,health
,med
iaAustralian
Governm
ent
Table
2.(con
tinue
d)
IDLo
cation
Prog
ram
name
Timeperiod
Aim
sRe
gionB
Participan
tnu
mbers
Evalua
tion
indicatorsC
Sectorsinvo
lved
Fund
ingsource
8 Health Promotion Journal of Australia R. Macniven et al.
30NSW
TheNSW
State
Knockout
Challeng
e2012-present
Engage
commun
ities
totarget
nutrition
,physicalactivity
and
ahe
althyweigh
t,whe
reteam
sofup
to30
mem
berscompe
tein
aseriesof
weigh
tloss
challeng
esandforg
rant
fund
sforcommun
ities
toprom
ote
healthylifestyles
Urban,rural
Upto35
team
sand
1000
participantspe
rindividu
alchalleng
e
IMPA
CT:physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health
Com
mun
ity,health
,sport
Stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t
31NSW
Pius
�exercise
prog
ram
2015-present
Prom
otethehe
alth
andwell
beingofclients,topreven
tand
managechronicdiseases
and
men
talh
ealth
issues
Rural
20PR
OCESS,
IMPA
CT:
physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health
Com
mun
ity,health
Abo
riginal
Organisations
32NSW
Sistas
andaunties
prog
ram
Unkno
wn
Empo
werwom
entolead
healthy
lifestylesandmod
elhe
althy
andpo
sitivehabitsfortheir
commun
ityandextend
edfamilies
throug
hactivities
which
incorporatehe
althy
eatin
gandph
ysicalactivity
Urban
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ityUnkno
wn
33NSW
Sprin
ginto
shape
prog
ram
2003-present
Prom
oteahe
althylifestyleandto
help
clientsmanagestress
throug
hexercise
andnu
trition
prog
ram
Urban,rural
18in
2015
PROCESS
Com
mun
ity,health
Localh
ealth
service,
Abo
riginal
organisatio
ns34
Tas.
Tasm
anianAbo
riginal
Cen
trerehabilitation
prog
ram
A
2011-present
Providecultu
rally
accessible
cardiacandpu
lmon
ary
rehabilitationto
adultswith
orat
riskof
developing
chronic
diseaseto
increase
participationandim
prove
health
outcom
esforpe
ople
with
establishe
ddiseaseand
redu
ceriskfactorssuch
asph
ysicalinactivity
Urban,rural
92PR
OCESS,
IMPA
CT:
physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health
Health
Australian
Governm
ent
35Vic.
VictorianAbo
riginal
Health
Service
Health
yLifestyles
2010-present
Helppe
oplemaketherig
htlifestylechoicesandredu
cetheirchanceof
developing
anavoidablechronicdisease
Urban,rural
Unkno
wn
Unkno
wn
Health
,com
mun
ityAustralian
Governm
ent
36NSW
Wam
inda’sWellbeing
Prog
ram
A2009-present
Providewom
enwith
oppo
rtun
ityto
participateina
compreh
ensive
andho
listic
healthylifestyleprog
ram
that
incorporates
approp
riate
and
accessibleph
ysicalactivities
Rural
51in
2012
PROCESS,
IMPA
CT:
physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health
Health
Australian
Governm
ent,
Abo
riginal
organisatio
ns
(con
tinuednextpa
ge)
Aboriginal physical activity programs Health Promotion Journal of Australia 9
37NT
Wom
en’sfootyfitness
prog
ram
2011–2014
Providean
inno
vativeapproach
toaddressing
chronicdisease
inwom
en,informationon
the
bene
fitsof
physicalactivity,
transportforparticipantsto
activities,a
variety
ofph
ysical
activity
sessions
with
traine
dinstructors
Remote
480
PROCESS,
IMPA
CT:
physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health,
qualitative
Com
mun
ity,local
governmen
t,he
alth
Australian
Governm
ent
38Qld
Workitou
t!2011–2013
Closethelifeexpe
ctancy
gap
throug
haddressing
chronic
disease,includ
ingweekly
individu
allytailored1h
grou
pexercise
sessions
Urban
250
PROCESS,
IMPA
CT:
health
Com
mun
ity,health
Australian
Governm
ent
39WA
Yoka
Yaanginy
2015-present
Increase
physicalactivity
throug
hweekly
walking
prog
ram
Urban,rural
10PR
OCESS,
IMPA
CT:
health
Com
mun
ity,health
Philanthrop
y,charity
fund
s,NGO
You
ngpeo
ple
40SA
Abo
riginalPo
wer
Cup
2008-present
Deliver
compe
titivefootball
prog
ram
engaging
youn
gpe
oplein
grades
10–12in
education,prom
otinghe
althy
lifestylechoicesand
developing
team
work,
leadership
andlifeskills
Urban,rural
400stud
ents,32
scho
ols
Non
eSport
Stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t,privatesector
41NT
Ampilatw
atjasport‘n’
recprog
ram
Unkno
wn
Deliversarang
eof
activities
toprom
oteph
ysical,social,
emotional,ed
ucational,
men
taland
spiritualwellbeing
throug
hou
tof
hoursscho
olandvacatio
ncare
Remote
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ityNGO
42National
Athleticsforthe
outbackprog
ram
2005-present
Giveop
portun
ities
toparticipate
inathleticsandincrease
commun
ityow
nershipand
managem
entof
athletics
Remote
3500
children,25
Abo
riginal
coache
straine
d,74
activities
held
PROCESS
Com
mun
ity,health
,sport
Australian
Governm
ent
43Qld
Beat
dabing
eA2010–2013
Preven
tingharm
from
bing
edrinking
throug
heven
tsfocusing
ondrinking
education,alcoho
l-free
commun
ity-w
idesocialeven
tsandsportin
gandsocial
activities
tofacilitateself-
empo
wermen
tforyoun
gpe
opleaged
18–24years.
Remote
1880
PROCESS,
IMPA
CT:
health,social
Com
mun
ity,health
,sport
Australian
Governm
ent
Table
2.(con
tinue
d)
IDLo
cation
Prog
ram
name
Timeperiod
Aim
sRe
gionB
Participan
tnu
mbers
Evalua
tion
indicatorsC
Sectorsinvo
lved
Fund
ingsource
10 Health Promotion Journal of Australia R. Macniven et al.
44WA
Beatball(M
irraboo
ka)-
Street
Corne
rChampion
s
2008-present
Engage
youn
gpe
opleaged
6–17
yearswho
may
not
beinvolved
inmainstream
sportin
Beatball,focusing
onhe
althylifestylesinclud
ing
physicalactivity,positive
role
mod
els,ed
ucation
Urban
50–150
participants
persession
PROCESS
Education,he
alth,
sport
Abo
riginal
organisatio
n,local
governmen
t,Migrant
Resource
Cen
tre
45Qld
CathyFreeman
Foun
datio
nActivities
prog
ram
2009–2015
Prom
otes
scho
olachievem
ent
andattend
ance,health
ylivingandsociable
behaviou
rby
encouraging
participationin
sportand
recreatio
nalactivities
Remote
500
PROCESS
Education,
NGO,spo
rtCharityfund
s
46Qld,N
T,NSW
,Vic.,WA
Clon
tarfFoun
datio
nA2000-present
Improvetheed
ucation,
discipline,lifeskills,self-esteem
andem
ploymen
tprospectsof
boys
ingrades
7–12
throug
hAFL
andNRL
academ
ies
All
3726
IMPA
CT:social
Com
mun
ity,
NGO,spo
rtAustralian
Governm
ent,
stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t,privatesector
47Qld
Deadlychoices
2010–2014
Encourages
participantsaged
15–18yearsto
berolemod
els
andmen
torsfortheirfamily,
peergrou
pandcommun
ityin
leadingahe
althylifestyle,
includ
ingph
ysicalactivity
Urban
300–600each
commun
ityeven
t.250
scho
olchildren
completed
prog
ram
PROCESS
Com
mun
ity,
education
Australian
Governm
ent
48National
Evon
neGoo
lago
ngFoun
datio
n(EGF)
prog
ram
2005–2014
Givechildrenaged
5–15
yearsthe
oppo
rtun
ityto
achievetheir
bestby
prom
otingqu
ality
educationandbe
tter
health
throug
hdiet
andexercise
All
1100
income
andtrydays
Unkno
wn
Com
mun
ity,
sport
Charityfund
s
49ACT
Gug
anGulwan
scho
olho
liday
prog
ram
2013–2015
Deliver
scho
olho
liday
prog
ram
tokeep
theparticipantsactive,
challeng
edanden
tertaine
d
Urban
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ityParticipantcost
50NT
Hoo
ps4he
alth
2006-present
Add
ress
adolescent
health
issues
usingbasketball
even
ts,tailoredto
suit
aparticular
grou
p
All
4797
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
,sport
Australian
Governm
ent
51Qld
Indige
nous
Youth
SportsProg
ram
A2010-present
Provideop
portun
ityforhigh
scho
olstud
entsto
consider
university
asapo
tential
pathway,w
hileen
gaging
inaweekof
sportin
gand
team
-buildingactivities
Urban
140annu
ally
Non
eCom
mun
ity,
education
Australian
Governm
ent,
stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t,local
governmen
t,un
iversity
(con
tinuednextpage)
Aboriginal physical activity programs Health Promotion Journal of Australia 11
52NT
John
MoriartyFootball
2012-present
Providechildrenaged
6–16
yearswith
supp
ort,
training
,develop
men
tandpathwaysforfootball
success,usethesportas
apo
werfultoo
ltochange
educationaland
life
outcom
esforfootballers
andtheirfamilies
Remote
200curren
tlyPR
OCE
SS,
IMPA
CT:socialEducation,he
alth,
sport
Australian
Governm
ent,
philanthrop
y,charity
fund
s
53NSW
NationalA
borig
inal
Sportin
gChance
Acade
my(NASC
A)
1995-present
Encouragehigh
scho
olattend
ance
andprom
ote
self-confi
denceandhe
alth
andwellb
eing
throug
hrolemod
elsandhe
alth,
education,sportand
cultu
ralp
rogram
s
Urban
11000since1995
PROCE
SS,
IMPA
CT:
qualitative
Education,NGO,spo
rtAustralian
Governm
ent,
charity
fund
s
54ACT
Ngadyun
g2007-present
Prom
oteessentialswim
ming
andsurvivalskills
Urban,rural
500
Non
eHealth
,NGO
Australian
Governm
ent,
State/
Territo
ryGovernm
ent
55NT
NASC
Aathletes
and
rolemod
els
(ARM
tour)
1997-present
Provideinspiratio
n,en
couragem
entandsupp
ort
forscho
olaged
childrento
enhancestud
ents’self-
esteem
andself-confi
dence;
assistinde
veloping
lifeskillsin
commun
ication,leadership
andgo
al-settin
g;en
courage
participationin
sportand
recreatio
nactivities
forhealth
yandpo
sitivelifestyles
Remote
8000
since1997
PROCE
SS,
IMPA
CT:
qualitative
NGO
Fede
ral
Governm
ent,
fund
raising
56National
Raisethebar
2015-present
Provideachance
todiscover
the
pathwaysto
stud
ying
and
participationthroug
hhigh
perfo
rmance
sportforyoun
gpe
oplein
grades
10–12
All
35IMPA
CT:social
Education,sport
Australian
Governm
ent,
University
57NT
Reddu
strolemod
els
Health
yLiving
Prog
ram
2006-present
3�
1-weekcommun
ityvisits.
Rolemod
elsinteractwith
and
teachnu
trition
,hygiene
,substancemisuse,ph
ysical
activity
anden
courage
creativity
andne
wskillsin
sport,artsandhe
althycooking
Remote
App
rox.343in
2007.Firsth
alfof
2015
engage
d500+
stud
entsin
scho
ols,800+
outsideof
scho
ol
PROCE
SSNGO,spo
rtAustralian
Governm
ent,
local
governmen
t,privatesector
Table
2.(con
tinue
d)
IDLo
cation
Prog
ram
name
Timeperiod
Aim
sRe
gionB
Participan
tnu
mbers
Evalua
tion
indicatorsC
Sectorsinvo
lved
Fund
ingsource
12 Health Promotion Journal of Australia R. Macniven et al.
58WA,NTand
NSW
RoleMod
elsand
LeadersAustralia
GirlsAcade
my
2009-present
Empo
weringscho
olaged
girls
byeq
uipp
ingthem
with
tools
need
edto
achieveed
ucation
andcareer
goals,high
lighting
theim
portance
ofph
ysical
activity,a
healthylifestyleand
cultu
ralcon
nection
All
1000
PROCESS,
IMPA
CT:socialEducation,sport
Australian
Governm
ent,
scho
ols,private
sector
59WA
RowAHEA
D:C
lontarf
toCu
rtin
2014-present
Teachrowinganden
courage
high
scho
olstud
ents
with
career
and
educationalg
oals.
Urban
20in
2014,75in
2015,20–30
throug
hen
dorsed
prog
ram
PROCESS
Education,sport
Stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t
60NSW
Shakealeg
2005-present
Redu
cepreven
tablehe
alth
cond
ition
sam
ongprim
ary
scho
olchildrenthroug
hed
ucation,includ
ing
tradition
alIndige
nous
games
Urban,rural
Unkno
wn
IMPA
CT:health
,social
Education,he
alth
Localh
ealth
service
61NSW
Souths
Cares
Health
yandActive
Lifestyleprog
ram
Unkno
wn
Educatestud
entswith
the
fund
amen
talkno
wledg
eto
livehe
althyandactive
lifestyles
Urban
Unkno
wn
Non
eEducation,NGO
Charityfund
s
62National
Strong
asistas,
Brothe
rsin
Union
prog
rams
2014-present
Prom
otego
odsportsmanship,
nutrition
,men
talh
ealth
awaren
ess,drug
and
alcoho
lfree-livingand
taking
person
alrespon
sibility
forpo
sitivechoicesin
life
throug
hreside
ntialand
1day
prog
ramsforscho
olaged
children
All
300–500
PROCESS
Education,he
alth,
sport
Australian
Governm
ent,
privatesector,
charity
fund
s
63WA
Strong
Cultu
re2014-present
Prom
oteadop
tionof
healthy
lifestylebe
haviou
rsand
encouragetradition
alactivities
(e.g.hun
ting,bu
shtucker)topreven
tchronic
disease
All
Unkno
wn
Unkno
wn
Com
mun
ity,
education,he
alth
Australian
Governm
ent
64WA
Swan
Nyung
arSportsEducation
Prog
ram
2002-present
Improveed
ucational
outcom
esam
onghigh
scho
olchildrenthroug
hcultu
re,langu
age
andsport
Urban
Unkno
wn
IMPA
CT:social
Education,sport
Unkno
wn
65ACT
,NSW
Swim
mingNSW
Indige
nous
participation
prog
ram
2012–2015
Drivesw
immingparticipation
amon
gbabies
andchildren,
implem
entpathwaysfor
thede
velopm
entof
talented
swim
mers
andcoache
s
Urban,rural
1500
PROCESS
Com
mun
ity,health
,sport
Stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t
(con
tinuednextpa
ge)
Aboriginal physical activity programs Health Promotion Journal of Australia 13
66NT
Tang
entyereyouth
activity
service
Unkno
wn
Enableyoun
gpe
oplelivingin
towncamps
toaccess
and
expe
riencearang
eof
sport
andrecreatio
nalactivities
Urban
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,spo
rtLocalg
overnm
ent
67Qld
Tenn
isQueen
sland
Indige
nous
prog
ram
2012–2014
Develop
tenn
isprog
ramsfor
commun
ities
andscho
ols.
All
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,
education,sport
Australian
Governm
ent,
stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t68
WA
Troy
Coo
khe
alth
and
leadership
prog
ram
2008-present
Build
ahe
althyandactive
lifestyle,culturalide
ntity
for
commun
ities
byed
ucating
childrenaged
10–18years
abou
the
alth,m
entalw
ell
beingandsubstanceabuse,
encouraginglinking
with
sportsclub
s
All
4000
PROCESS
Education,he
alth,
sport
Stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t,privatesector,
charity
fund
s
69WA
VSw
ansactive
educationprog
ram
2007-present
Toen
sure
youn
gpe
opleare
activelyandpo
sitively
participatingin
physical
activity,edu
catio
nand
commun
ity
Rural,remote
5000
youn
gpe
ople
andtheir
families
annu
ally
IMPA
CT:social
Com
mun
ity,
education,sport
Stateor
Territo
ryGovernm
ent,
Privatesector
70NSW
Walkabo
utkitche
n2014-present
Improveaccessto
fresh
fruitand
vege
tables,nutritionand
physicalactivity
education,
improvethehe
alth
ofscho
olchildrento
improve
attend
ance
levels
Urban,rural
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
Stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t
71WA
WestCoastEagles
Indige
nous
Leadership
Prog
ram
2011-present
Teachlifeskillsbe
yond
the
classroo
mto
childrenin
grades
8–10
toem
power
participantsto
makeinform
edde
cision
sthatleadtoahe
althy
lifestyleandabou
tdiabetes
preven
tion,he
althyeatin
g,ph
ysicalactivity
Urban
150–200pe
ryear
PROCESS
Education,he
alth,
sport
Privatesector
72ACT
Wirraclub
ACT
2014-present
Makean
impact
onclosing
thehe
alth
gapthroug
hearly
preven
tionprog
ram
delivery,includ
ing
sessions
onph
ysical
activity,con
nection
tolocalspo
rtingclub
sfor
prim
aryscho
olchildren
Urban
81in
3scho
ols
IMPA
CT:physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel
Com
mun
ity,
education,he
alth,
NGO,spo
rt
Stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t,charity
fund
s
Table
2.(con
tinue
d)
IDLo
cation
Prog
ram
name
Timeperiod
Aim
sRe
gionB
Participan
tnu
mbers
Evalua
tion
indicatorsC
Sectorsinvo
lved
Fund
ingsource
14 Health Promotion Journal of Australia R. Macniven et al.
73Qld
Yimba
Bira
Tradition
alIndige
nous
Gam
esUnkno
wn
Instruct
tradition
algame
techniqu
esanden
courage
participationin
games
mod
ified
from
tradition
alpractices.Exposeparticipants
totradition
alcultu
re,history
andtools
Urban,rural
Unkno
wn
Non
eEducation,commun
ityAbo
riginal
organisatio
n
Adults
andyo
ungpeo
ple
74WA
Abo
riginalsports
prog
ram
2009-present
Encourageph
ysicalactivity
and
sportat
alllevels,increase
oppo
rtun
ities
tolearnskillsto
organise,deliver
andmanage
commun
itysport,assist
talented
peop
leto
access
supp
ortto
reachsportin
ggo
als
Urban,rural
Unkno
wn
Non
eSport
Australian
Governm
ent
75National
AFL
KickstartP
rogram
A2000-present
Upto3commun
ityvisitspe
ryear
from
profession
alplayersand
coache
swho
deliveryfootball
activities,actas
advocatesand
men
torsto
complim
entwork
ofcommun
itypo
lice,he
alth,
educationandsportand
recreatio
norganisatio
ns
All
Unkno
wn
PROCESS,
IMPA
CT:socialCom
mun
ity,spo
rtAustralian
Governm
ent,
privatesector
76Vic.
AFL
Victoria’s
Indige
nous
Prog
ram
Unkno
wn
Use
footballas
avehicleto
prom
oteahe
althylifestylein
Indige
nous
commun
ities
All
Unkno
wn
Unkno
wn
Com
mun
ity,spo
rtNGO
77Qld
Beat
itlifestyle
mod
ificatio
nprog
ram
2013-present
Improvethepreven
tionand
managem
entof
type
2diabetes
Remote
150
IMPA
CT:physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health
Com
mun
ity,health
,localg
overnm
ent
Localg
overnm
ent
78Vic.
Bede
adly,get
healthy
2014-present
Toim
provethehe
alth
offamilies
andredu
cechronicdisease
throug
han
initialhe
alth
assessmen
tandparticipation
inregu
larph
ysicalactivity
sessions
Rural
27in
12mon
thpe
riod
2014–2015
IMPA
CT:physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health,social
Com
mun
ity,health
Australian
Governm
ent
79WA
Bega
Garnb
irringu
’scommun
ityen
gage
men
tvehicle
2011-present
Increase
oppo
rtun
ities
for
physicalactivity,sup
port
healthycommun
ities,access
tohe
althyfood
bytailorin
gandde
liveringcultu
rally
approp
riate
services
Rural,remote
1000+
PROCESS
Com
mun
ity,health
Australian
Governm
ent,
Abo
riginal
organisatio
ns
80Vic.
BudjeriN
apan
Associatio
nInc.
2007-present
Improvehe
alth
throug
hen
couraginghe
althyactive
lifestyles.Prom
otepo
tential
pathwaysin
sport,ed
ucation
andtraining
Urban,rural
1500
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
,sport
Stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t,localh
ealth
services
(con
tinuednextpage)
Aboriginal physical activity programs Health Promotion Journal of Australia 15
81Qld
Chronicillne
ssprog
ram
2010–2015
Increase
theaw
aren
essand
unde
rstand
ingof
theim
pact
oflifestyledisease,inform
the
commun
ityof
whatcanbe
done
toavoidchronicillne
ssandwhe
reto
getassistanceto
change
habits
Remote
Unkno
wn
PROCESS
commun
ity,local
governmen
tUnkno
wn
82NSW
Cleanslatewith
out
prejud
ice
2009-present
Crim
epreven
tioninitiative,
deterren
ceforatriskyou
thand
theirfamilies
throug
hbo
training
threetim
esaweek,
healthybreakfast,ed
ucational
andcultu
ralcom
pone
nts
Urban
50in
2011
IMPA
CT:social
Com
mun
ity,
education,Po
lice
Charityfund
s
83NSW
DeadlySistaGirlz
2009-present
Providehe
alth,fitnessandwell
beingprog
ramsto
target
and
assistwom
en,girlsandtheir
families
who
may
notbe
able
toaccess
mainstream
prog
rams
Urban,rural
Over100
IMPA
CT:health
,social
Com
mun
ity,health
,NGO
Australian
Governm
ent,
Charityfund
s
84Vic.
DeadlySport
Gippsland
2014-present
Encourageandsupp
ortpo
sitive
lifestylechange
incommun
ities
byprom
oting
sportin
grolemod
els,activities
andeven
tsusingsocialmed
ia
Rural
3000
inregion
IMPA
CT:physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health
Com
mun
ity,spo
rtStateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t
85Vic.
EastGippsland
Abo
riginalsportand
physicalactivity
prog
ram
2009-present
Prom
oteandsupp
ortincreased
participationin
sportand
recreatio
n
Rural
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
,sport
Australian
Governm
ent
86Vic.
Feed
in’themob
2011–2014
Involvecommun
ityin
activities
that
draw
onlocalculture
toteachthebe
nefitsof
healthy
eatin
gandlifestyle.
Urban
Who
leof
commun
ityPR
OCESS;
IMPA
CT:
health
Com
mun
ity,health
Australian
Governm
ent
87Qld
F.I.T
(FitIndige
nous
traine
rs)club
Unkno
wn
Build
ateam
oftraine
rsto
raise
awaren
essandassistin
preven
tingob
esity
throug
hfitnessactivities
Urban
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ityUnkno
wn
88National
Footballdreaming
prog
ram
2012-present
Maxim
isefootball(soccer)
participationop
portun
ities
for
childrenandyoun
gadults;
iden
tifyandde
veloptalented
footballers;use
footballas
avehicleto
impact
social
developm
entissues
All
Unkno
wn
Non
eSport
Australian
Governm
ent
Table
2.(con
tinue
d)
IDLo
cation
Prog
ram
name
Timeperiod
Aim
sRe
gionB
Participan
tnu
mbers
Evalua
tion
indicatorsC
Sectorsinvo
lved
Fund
ingsource
16 Health Promotion Journal of Australia R. Macniven et al.
89NT
Health
yLifestyle&
TobaccoCessatio
nProg
ram
2010-present
Prom
oteanded
ucateabou
tph
ysicalactivity,nutrition,
smokingandchronic
diseaseriskfactors
All
Unkno
wn
Unkno
wn
Com
mun
ity,health
Australian
Governm
ent
90Qld
Indige
nous
commun
itysport
andrecreatio
nprog
ram
2013-present
Prom
oteen
gage
men
tin
commun
itysportand
recreatio
nactivities
andsocial
andem
otionalw
ellb
eing
.
All
387242
attend
ancesin
2014
across
38commun
ities
PROCESS
Com
mun
ity,Police
Stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t
91NSW
Indige
nous-FIT
Prog
ram
2011-present
Toincrease
physicalactivity
throug
ha10-w
eek,1h
perweekexercise
prog
ram,
ensure
sustainability
foradultsandchildren
ingrade7andabove
Urban,rural
Unkno
wn
IMPA
CT:physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health
Com
mun
ity,
education,he
alth
Localh
ealth
service
92National
Indige
nous
Maratho
nFoun
datio
n2010-present
Celeb
rate
Indige
nous
achievem
entandresilience,
userunn
ingtoprom
otehe
alth
andbu
ildself-worth,promote
healthyandactivelifestylesto
redu
cepreven
tablediseases,
createIndige
nous
rolemod
els,
inspire
Indige
nous
peop
leand
prom
oteachievem
entto
all
Australia.
All
App
rox.15
runn
ers
peryear
inIMP,
andover
5000
commun
ityrunn
ers
PROCESS,
IMPA
CT:socialCharity,NGO
Australian
Governm
ent,
charity
fund
s
93NSW
Indige
nous
mou
ntain
bike
project
2012–2015
Prom
otebike
ridingas
aform
ofph
ysicalactivity
Urban
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,N
GO
Unkno
wn
94National
Indige
nous
Softball
Prog
ram
-Health
Throug
hSoftball
2015-present
Provideop
portun
ities
for
commun
ityparticipationin
softb
allactivities
tohe
lpto
improvehe
alth
andph
ysical
wellb
eing
andprovidesocial
bene
fits
All
100+
participants
over
2or
more
commun
ities
PROCESS
Com
mun
ity,spo
rtAustralian
Governm
ent
95NSW
,Qld,
Vic.,SA
Indige
nous
surfing
prog
ram
Unkno
wn
Attract
largenu
mbe
rsof
youn
gpe
opleup
toage25
yearsto
beache
s.Prom
otehe
alth,
enjoym
entandwellb
eing
throug
hsurfing
andocean
safety
awaren
ess,bringing
positiveed
ucationto
remote
andlocalcom
mun
ities.
Rural
700in
NSW
PROCESS,
IMPA
CT:
social
Education,Sport
Australian
Governm
ent,
stateor
Territo
rygo
vernmen
t,privatesector,
philanthrop
y,Abo
riginal
organisatio
ns96
Qld
KombatChron
icDisease
(KCD)
1998-present
Prom
otionph
ysicalactivity
and
othe
rhe
alth
riskfactors
throug
hsportsprog
rams,
prom
otionalm
essage
s,he
alth
even
ts,health
checks
Remote
5000
peop
leNon
eCom
mun
ity,health
,localg
overnm
ent,
NGO,spo
rt
Stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t
(con
tinuednextpage)
Aboriginal physical activity programs Health Promotion Journal of Australia 17
97Vic.
MAYSAR,Melbo
urne
Abo
riginalYo
uth,
Sportand
Recreatio
nCo-
operativeLtd
1982-present
Providecommun
ityservices
toprom
otehe
althierlifestyles,
includ
ingyouthou
treach,
gene
ralfitness,lunche
sand
hub
Urban
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,spo
rtUnkno
wn
98National
Moveitmob
style
2012-present
Prom
otingcultu
rethroug
hdanceandmusicin
apo
sitive
high
energy
television
prog
ram
toen
couragehapp
yhe
althylifestyles
All
Unkno
wn
Non
eMed
ia,health
Australian
Governm
ent
99Vic.
Noo
galToe
ngorrtTani
cricketprog
ram
Unkno
wn
Providecricketparticipationand
developm
entop
portun
ities
forages
12–23years.
All
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,spo
rtStateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t
100
WA
RemoteAbo
riginal
swim
mingpo
ols
prog
ram
2000-present
Workin
consultatio
nwith
commun
ities
torunsafe,
efficien
tandeffectiveaquatic
facilitiesand
tomeetthe
need
sandexpe
ctations
ofthe
commun
ities
Remote
45000visits
annu
allyacross6
commun
ities
IMPA
CT:physical
activity
and
fitnesslevel,
health,social
Com
mun
ity,health
,NGO
Stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t,privatesector
101
NT
RLSSANTremotepo
ols
project
2003-present
Maxim
isehe
alth,socialand
econ
omicbe
nefitsof
swim
mingpo
olsin
remote
commun
ities
Rural,remote
19000in
18commun
ities
Non
eHealth
,NGO
Australian
Governm
ent,
stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t,local
governmen
t102
Vic.
Rumbalara
Football
andNetballClub
healthylifestyles
prog
ram
A
2006-present
Build
astrong
andhe
althy
commun
itywith
acentral
focuson
nutrition
and
exercise.Encou
rage
healthy
lives
bymakingchoicesthat
lead
togo
odph
ysical,spiritual,
socialandwellb
eing
for
peop
leandtheirfamilies
Rural
Unkno
wn
Unkno
wn
Com
mun
ity,spo
rtPh
ilanthrop
y,privatesector,
NGO
103
National
Sportshe
althyfutures
prog
ram
2013–2014
Improveoverallh
ealth
andwell
beingof
youththroug
hparticipationin
sports,deliver
sportin
geq
uipm
entto
commun
ityorganisatio
ns,
sportin
gclub
sandscho
olsin
exchange
forteam
mem
bers
attend
ingregu
larhe
alth
checks
All
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
,sport
Abo
riginal
organisatio
n
Table
2.(con
tinue
d)
IDLo
cation
Prog
ram
name
Timeperiod
Aim
sRe
gionB
Participan
tnu
mbers
Evalua
tion
indicatorsC
Sectorsinvo
lved
Fund
ingsource
18 Health Promotion Journal of Australia R. Macniven et al.
104
NT
SunriseHealth
Service
physicalactivity
prog
ram
2009-present
Prom
otehe
althylifestyles
throug
hprovidingsupp
ortto
commun
ities
inde
veloping
andim
plem
entin
gstrategies
toincrease
theleveland
quality
ofph
ysicalactivity,
lifestyleandcommun
itywell
being
Rural,remote
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
Australian
Governm
ent,
stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t
105
NT
TiwiIslands
Youthand
Com
mun
ities
2003-present
Engage
syouthaged
12–19years
at-riskof
enterin
gthecrim
inal
justicesystem
inpreven
tion
activities,suchas
cultu
ral
activities,spo
rtandrecreatio
n
Remote
131since2003.
Deliver
preven
tive
prog
ram
toall
scho
olchildren
PROCESS,
IMPA
CT:socialCom
mun
ity,
education,he
alth,
police,sport
Localg
overnm
ent,
NGO
106
WA
Tobacco&Health
yLifestyles
Prog
ram
2015-present
Redu
cetheriskofchronicdisease
byloweringsm
okingand
tobacco-use,increasing
exercise
andim
proving
nutrition
Remote
Who
leof
commun
ityPR
OCESS,
IMPA
CT:
health
Com
mun
ity,
education,he
alth
Australian
Governm
ent
107
WA
WAHealth
yScho
ols
Project
2008–2015
Increase
physicalactivity
participationandhe
althyfood
anddrinkconsum
ption
All
Unkno
wn
PROCESS
Education,he
alth,
sport
Australian
Governm
ent
108
Qld
Walkabo
utwon
ders
2013-present
Increase
theknow
ledg
eof
participants’ow
nhe
alth
and
chronicdiseaseandthe
bene
fitsof
regu
larexercise
Urban,rural
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
Australian
Governm
ent,
Stateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t109
WA
Western
DesertSports
Prog
ram
2002-present
Supp
orthe
althierlifestyle
choices
Remote
500
PROCESS
Com
mun
ity,spo
rtStateor
territo
rygo
vernmen
t,privatesector
110
WA
WirrakaMaya’sLeap
Leadershipsw
imfor
lifeprog
ram
2013–2014
Develop
youthleadership
skills
andachievem
entin
astructured
environm
ent.
Enhanceprob
lem-solving
and
decision
-makingskillswhile
improvingself-esteem
throug
hsw
imming.Provide
anop
portun
ityto
gain
valuablewater
safety
and
lifesavingskills
Rural
Unkno
wn
Non
eCom
mun
ity,health
,NGO
Charityfund
s
AProg
ram
was
iden
tified
inthebibliographicsearch.
BRegion
,according
toAustralianInstitu
teof
Health
andWelfare
Rural,RemoteandMetropo
litan
Areas
(RRM
A)classificatio
n:40
Urban:capitalcities
andothe
rmetropo
litan
centres(urban
centre
popu
latio
n>1
00000)
Rural:ruralcen
tres
(urban
centre
popu
latio
n10
000–99
999)
Remote:Remotecentres(urban
centre
popu
latio
n>4
999)
andothe
rremoteareas(<5000).
CEvaluatio
nindicators,according
toNutbe
amandBaum
an(2006):14
Process:‘set
ofactivities
design
edto
assess
thesuccessof
prog
ram
implem
entatio
n’Im
pact:‘setof
activities
design
edto
assess
short-term
prog
ress
intheim
plem
entatio
nof
ahe
alth
prom
otioninterven
tion’
Physicalactivity:any
bodilymovem
entprod
uced
byskeletalmuscles
that
requ
iresen
ergy
expe
nditu
re.41
Fitness:‘the
cond
ition
ofbe
ingph
ysicallyfitandhe
althy’
42Health
:any
widelyrecogn
ised
indicatorof
physicalor
men
talh
ealth
status
(e.g.blood
pressure,w
eigh
t,diet,smoking)
Social:any
broade
rsocietalindicatorof
bene
fit(e.g.schoo
latten
dance,crim
erates).
Aboriginal physical activity programs Health Promotion Journal of Australia 19
and remote locations. The majority of Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander people reside in areas defined as urban, as reflected in ourprogram location findings, despite a higher proportion living inrural or remote areas when compared with the overall Australianpopulation.18 WA had the largest number of programs, followed byNSW and Qld; all three states have the largest population ofAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia at 43 731, 103 907and 94 082.18 Ten programs were located in NT, which has thehighest population proportion of Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander people at ~30%19 and the fourth highest absolute number.However, the total number of remote programs identified (n= 14)indicates gaps in program provision specific to population densityare likely. While program development according to locallyidentified community needs is a vital component of self-determination and program success,20 the widespread provisionof culturally appropriate services is integral to initiatives to reducepopulation inequalities. It is encouraging that the majority ofprograms we identified involved Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander stakeholders, as optimum program practice shouldencompass culturally specific input at all stages of development,implementation and evaluation.21
Since 2008, ‘Closing the Gap’ has been the main policy initiativeto achieve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality.22
We found that while a small number of programs had operatedcontinuously for over a decade; the majority had shorter lifespans,limiting their sustainability. This may reflect current policy directionand typical short-term funding periods but ongoing commitmentwill be inherent to the success of the policy. Estimations ofparticipant numbers were available for over half of sourcedprograms. Some programs had small numbers of participants(10--–20) and others involved over 1000 people, but the extent ofregular participation was unknown. Obtaining detailed informationon reach and measuring its resultant impact was beyond the scopeof this study, it also appeared to be beyond the scope of many ofthe program operations. Upstream initiatives and policies whichreach larger numbers of people are likely to have greater populationlevel effects. This has been suggested in mainstream public policythrough approaching the social determinants of health23 and isparticularly pertinent for Aboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderAustralians.24 However, current policy for disadvantaged groupsfocuses predominantly on individual behaviours. There isdemonstrated effectiveness of group-based physical activityprograms;11,25 such practice is recommended in combinationwith approaches to improve broader, structural determinants ofhealth.26
We found program aims predominantly focussed on physicalactivity to prevent or treat chronic diseases that are the major causeof the gap in life expectancy.1 However, the Indigenous ChronicDisease Package (ICDP) which focussed comprehensively on boththe prevention and management of chronic diseases existed onlyfrom 2009–2013.27 This policy change may result in fewer programs
in the future, subsequently leading to poorer health in Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander people, given the known benefits ofphysical activity. Almost a third of programs aimed to promotephysical activity to achieve broader social benefits such aseducational and employment outcomes and reduced rates ofcrime. Health and sport programs are worthy crime preventionapproaches.28 There are also recognised relationships betweenphysical activity andfitness level andacademic achievement29 aswellas social andmental health benefits specific to Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander populations.30,31 However, a cautious approach toalluding to wider social benefits directly arising from individualprograms should be taken in the absence of empirical evidence,as well as the direct effects of standalone programs on health. Yetthe documentation of existing program evaluation measures inthis snapshot represents a vital first step in reviewing programscollectively and some have demonstrated encouraging evidenceof positive educational and employment outcomes.32,33 There is alsosome evidence of social benefits, such as community cohesion andcultural identity; derived from sport programs in this snapshot,31,34
which are important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.Such programs might therefore contribute to corresponding‘Closing the Gap’ policy indicators and should be resourcedaccordingly.
Most programs received financial support from national, state,territory or local government, which is a commendable responseto population health disparities. However, funding sources acrossmultiple jurisdictions also often lack long-term synergy and support.Sustainable program funding is challenging but more likely to beachieved where public, private and philanthropic sources can becombined, as was found for several programs. While financialcontributions from participants can ensure continuation, this maynot be appropriate for this population group given incomeinequalities.35 Cost has been identified as a barrier to physical activityparticipation among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,36
therefore, it is encouraging that the majority of programs incurredno participant costs. Multi-sector partnerships, evident for themajority of programs, can help ensure continuous support acrossorganisations.
All 11 programs identified in the bibliography search includedformal evaluation results. Yet of the 110 programs sourced, 65had formal evaluation measures; the results of which cannot befound in academic literature. This discrepancy could be partly dueto evaluation proposals currently in their infancy with resultsanticipated in the future, as well as a lag time before findings arepublished. There is an increasing requirement from funding sourcesto conduct formal evaluation of programs37 which may translate topublished results in the future. However, such program evaluationresults may not be made publically available. Recommendationsto improve the collection of quality evaluation data38 may also beinfluencing current practice. The low number of publishedevaluations represents a current gap in the sharing of evidence
20 Health Promotion Journal of Australia R. Macniven et al.
informed practice and rigorous science. No economic evaluationswere uncovered; this also represents an avenue for future researchto support ongoing investment in programs. While the purposeof this snapshot was to capture evaluation measures rather thanresults, findings suggest that evaluation of physical activityprograms for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is moreprevalent than published literature suggests. In order to ensureprogram effectiveness and future planning, the dissemination in atimely manner of well-designed process and impact evaluations,14
through formal and informal publication and media channels,is essential.
Strengths of this study include the comprehensive inclusion ofrelevant physical activity programs targeting Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander people and the standardised documentation anddescription of program aspects. The inclusion of both publishedliterature and online or grey sources enhances the scope andcompleteness of this work. Verification by program coordinatorsadds further accuracy to the findings. There are some limitations;other programs may exist, but their information was unable to besourced. Given the widespread current use of the Internet to profileorganisational information, we can be confident that the majorityof existing, relevant programs were captured. The snapshot couldonly identify organised programs yet Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander people may be more likely than non-Indigenous peopleto achieve physical activity through incidental means,30 vianecessary transport related activity associated with socioeconomicdisadvantage39 and within mainstream programs.17 Contact withsome program coordinators was not possible and some differencesin the understanding of program indicator information may haveoccurred.
Conclusion
This snapshot provides a comprehensive description of currentphysical activity program provision for Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander people across Australia, representing an important firststep in monitoring the implementation of programs to increasephysical activity. Such programs are an essential part of closing thegap in health disparities.
Over 100 programs were found to be operating between 2012and 2015 but identification of the majority of programs occurredthrough non-academic sources. It is recommended that all programstargeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people disseminatepublically accessible details. This would provide a more completepicture of program provision, identify gaps in services and sharedinformation platform on components of programs that couldbenefit populations in other locations. Many programs collectevaluation data, yet this data is commonly underrepresented inacademic literature. The timescale of programs may be limited byshort funding cycles, possibly affecting their overall impact andnot typically allowing economic provision for analysis of program
effects when programs are increasingly required to show costbenefits. Culturally appropriate, sustainable and effective programsto improve chronic disease risk factors, such as physical activityinitiatives, are an integral element of efforts to improve health forIndigenous communities.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the role of all programcoordinators in verifying the information in this study.
References1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Australian burden of disease
study: impact and causes of illness and death in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople 2011. Canberra: AIHW; 2016.
2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderhealth survey: first results, Australia, 2012–13. Canberra: ABS; 2014.
3. Gray C, Macniven R, Thomson N. Review of physical activity among Indigenouspeople. 2013. Available from: http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/health-risks/physical-activity/reviews/our-review [Verified 30 November 2016].
4. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderhealth survey: physical activity, 2012–13. Canberra: ABS; 2014.
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