Exploring opportunities to enhance hepatitis C care for Aboriginal populations in the alcohol and other drugs sector

Aboriginal people are over-represented in hepatitis C (HCV) infections and under-represented in hepatitis C treatment. Both facts are reflective of broader social and health inequities experienced by Aboriginal communities, and are particularly pronounced in the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector where individuals face additional barriers of stigma and discrimination when accessing services.

Despite advancements in HCV testing and the availability of curative treatment, many of these structural and systemic barriers means uptake of HCV care in Aboriginal communities remains suboptimal. 

Aboriginal community-controlled health centres and the Aboriginal health workforce hold a wealth of knowledge on engaging people in HCV testing and retaining them throughout the cascade of care.

This project aims to support the delivery of HCV care among Aboriginal populations in the AOD sector and identify how individuals with complex health needs could best access de-stigmatised and culturally appropriate treatment services.

By the end of the project, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of HCV care in the AOD sector for Aboriginal populations and will have contributed to meaningful improvements in healthcare delivery. 

Through this project, you will have the opportunity to do the following: 

• Gain experience in community-based participatory research: Work closely with Aboriginal communities, ensuring that research processes and outcomes are reflective of key population’s inputs and are ultimately community-driven. 
• Learn about the epidemiology of HCV: Understand the prevalence, transmission, and treatment outcomes of HCV within Aboriginal populations, particularly in the context of AOD use. 
• Contribute to policy and practice improvements: Provide evidence-based recommendations to inform policy development and enhance healthcare delivery for Aboriginal communities affected by HCV and AOD issues.