MEDIA RELEASE
Edith Cowan University’s Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet has formed a partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation to further develop and expand the eye health information on the HealthInfoNet web resource. The HealthInfoNet is recognised as an important part of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector and is widely used by the health workforce. New and existing users of the HealthInfoNet Eye Health web resource will greatly benefit from this partnership and further development of the resource, including features that facilitate information-sharing. www.eyehealth.org.au
To support the health workforce, new key facts sheets are being developed to summarise the latest information about eye conditions affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The first key facts sheet provides information about diabetic retinopathy. There will also be other learning tools to keep up to date which include infographics, animated infographics and a short InfoByte film.
HealthInfoNet Director, Professor Neil Drew says of the partnership ‘It is a wonderful opportunity to work with The Fred Hollows Foundation on this important project and support those working to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health by increasing the content, facilitating knowledge exchange of the eye health resources’.
Jaki Adams-Barton, Manager of The Indigenous Australia Program at The Fred Hollows Foundation says ‘It is fantastic to find so many useful resources in the one place. The HealthInfoNet Eye Health web resource makes both accessing and sharing information so much easier. Having the confidence to know we are using the latest available evidence on which to base our project is really valuable.’
The Fred Hollows Foundation works in more than 25 countries around the world, to end avoidable blindness and improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. Their work in Australia is through direct partnerships with local service providers to ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to high quality, affordable eye health care.
Spokesperson: Professor Neil Drew – HealthInfoNet Director
Tel: 08 9370 6155 Mob: 0418 901 468 Email: n.drew@ecu.edu.au
Media contact: Tara Hoyne – Tel: 08 9370 6109 Email: t.hoyne@ecu.edu.au
About the HealthInfoNet: Since 1997, the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet web resource has been informing practice and policy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health by making research and other knowledge readily accessible. The HealthInfoNet contributes to closing the gap in health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. Working in the area of translational research with a population health focus, the HealthInfoNet makes research and other information available in a form that has immediate, practical utility for health practitioners and policy-makers in the area. www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au