Bringing the message about healthier hearts home – that’s the philosophy behind an innovative Bairnsdale Regional Health Service program to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Orbost region.

With funding from Gippsland Primary Health Network, BRHS’ Aboriginal Health Unit and Allied Health teams have partnered with GPHN and Orbost-based Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation Moogji to deliver on-Country cultural cardiac program “Culture at Heart”.

The Culture at Heart program aims to increase knowledge of heart conditions, increase awareness of risk factors for heart conditions such as a heart attack and promote heart healthy lifestyle with a program of activities including exercise, education on diet and teaching techniques to reduce other risk factors such as stress.

The on-Country cardiac program was trialled late last year, with a new round to begin shortly. These are delivered by Aboriginal Health Unit Care Coordinator Carolyn Alkemade and BRHS Cardiac Liaison Nurse Claire Chapman, with the aim for Moogji to take over ownership as time goes on.

Australian Bureau of Statistics health data from 2021 shows that cardiovascular disease is a significant contributor to the difference in life expectancy between Aboriginal people and other Australians, a salient topic as we approach national Close the Gap Day on Thursday, 21 March.

Carolyn said Aboriginal people living in the Orbost catchment area, which includes the Lake Tyers Trust, record rates of heart disease at 6% – well above the national rate of 3.7%. That means roughly 1 Aboriginal person in every 16 has reported a heart condition.

“There are high rates of cardiovascular disease in the Aboriginal population but we have identified a gap with Aboriginal people coming to cardiac rehab,” Carolyn said.

The three-phase Aboriginal cardiac program begins with a “warm introduction”, in which a member of the BRHS Aboriginal Health Unit accompanies a patient to meet Claire and Jade and Jade and begin the journey. In phase two, Moogji takes patients to Gippsland Lakes Complete Health for rehab sessions.

The on-Country cardiac program, the third phase, makes cardiac rehab culturally relevant.

“Taking people where they’re from creates as relaxed environment. You’re on their turf,” BRHS Aboriginal Health Unit Team Leader Ashleigh Munro said.

Weekly sessions over six weeks keep participants active and emphasise heart health messages with an aspect of Aboriginal culture.

For example, one session takes participants on a heritage trail walk on Moogji land in Orbost, led by an elder who acts as a story-teller.

In another, participants travelled to Cape Conran for a walk, a discussion about smoke-free living and tests on a Smokealyzer, a device that measures carbon monoxide and demonstrates the impact of smoking on the body. Carolyn said after this session, one participant resolved immediately to quit.

Participants have also used an Aboriginal clans map of Australia to show the others participants their family origins, then transitioned to a game in which they named parts of the heart and demonstrated how their heart works.

“The social aspect is so important. The informal connections and rapport building make a difference. You can ask questions. People ask about the Aboriginal Health Unit and what happens when they come to BRHS,” Carolyn said.

“Their families get to come in and understand more. It’s very much a community focus. And for it to be sustainable, it needs to be what the community wants and it needs to be culturally learned, so the main focus is doing some fun cultural activities and connecting with that culture.”

Carolyn said Culture at Heart is a practical way that BRHS and partners can work to Close the Gap.

“It’s very inclusive. Some people don’t have heart conditions but they want to learn about the heart, and it’s so important to get that message our through the community.”

• BRHS will mark Close the Gap Day on Thursday, 21 March with a community event at the Day Street hospital entrance from 12pm to 2pm with a barbecue, afternoon tea, health information and cultural events. All East Gippsland residents are welcome.