Supporting Community‐Driven Health Promotion: Insights From a National Best Practice Unit
7 affiliations
- 1Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
- 2Centre of Migrant and Refugee Health Research, Auckland University Institute of Technology, Auckland, Auckland Region, New Zealand.
- 3Ninti One Limited, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia.
- 4Arrernte/Luritja and Anmatjere Language Groups, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia.
- 5Adnyamathanha From the Northern Flinders Ranges, Port Augusta, South Australia, Australia.
- 6Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.
- 7Edward Tilton Consulting, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
Abstract
Objective
This paper examines how the National Best Practice Unit Tackling Indigenous Smoking (NBPU TIS) supports program-funded organisations through collaboration, knowledge exchange and culturally responsive practice, and how these processes strengthen community-driven approaches to reducing smoking and vaping prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Methods
Six-monthly online surveys were conducted from December 2016 to November 2023 to assess satisfaction with NBPU TIS support. Responses were analysed across seven themes: Cultural Understanding, Shared Values, Contact, Collaborative Working, Sharing Best Practice, Training and Development and Monitoring and Evaluation.Results
Satisfaction was consistently high in Cultural Understanding (86%-97%) and Shared Values (86%-100%). Communication improved markedly, with agreement on regular, trustworthy contact rising from 60% to 100%. Positive trends were observed in Sharing Best Practice (59%-88%). Support for Training and Development and for Monitoring and Evaluation varied, with a decline noted in 2023 (42%).Conclusions
NBPU TIS provides a collaborative environment that helps program-funded organisations embed culturally grounded, evidence-based practices. These findings emphasise the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, cultural knowledge and trust-based relationships in strengthening program delivery and continuous improvement.Implications for public health
Investing in best practice units can strengthen community-driven health promotion programs by enhancing organisational capacity, supporting culturally responsive strategies and promoting community empowerment to achieve sustainable impact.
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BibTeX
@article{ram2026supporting,
title = {{Supporting Community‐Driven Health Promotion: Insights From a National Best Practice Unit}},
author = {Thrishila Parshu Ram and Eileen Van Iersel and Maxine Turner and Ashleigh Parnell and Edward Tilton and Penney Upton},
journal = {Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1002/hpja.70278},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727369},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Supporting Community‐Driven Health Promotion: Insights From a National Best Practice Unit
AU - Thrishila Parshu Ram
AU - Eileen Van Iersel
AU - Maxine Turner
AU - Ashleigh Parnell
AU - Edward Tilton
AU - Penney Upton
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/02
JO - Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals
DO - 10.1002/hpja.70278
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727369
AB - Objective This paper examines how the National Best Practice Unit Tackling Indigenous Smoking (NBPU TIS) supports program-funded organisations through collaboration, knowledge exchange and culturally responsive practice, and how these processes strengthen community-driven approaches to reducing smoking and vaping prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Methods Six-monthly online surveys were conducted from December 2016 to November 2023 to assess satisfaction with NBPU TIS support. Responses were analysed across seven themes: Cultural Understanding, Shared Values, Contact, Collaborative Working, Sharing Best Practice, Training and Development and Monitoring and Evaluation.Results Satisfaction was consistently high in Cultural Understanding (86%-97%) and Shared Values (86%-100%). Communication improved markedly, with agreement on regular, trustworthy contact rising from 60% to 100%. Positive trends were observed in Sharing Best Practice (59%-88%). Support for Training and Development and for Monitoring and Evaluation varied, with a decline noted in 2023 (42%).Conclusions NBPU TIS provides a collaborative environment that helps program-funded organisations embed culturally grounded, evidence-based practices. These findings emphasise the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, cultural knowledge and trust-based relationships in strengthening program delivery and continuous improvement.Implications for public health Investing in best practice units can strengthen community-driven health promotion programs by enhancing organisational capacity, supporting culturally responsive strategies and promoting community empowerment to achieve sustainable impact.
SN - 1036-1073
ER -