In this episode of Future Fit, Dr Ngaree Blow speaks with host Sadhana Smiles about her vision for a future where the next generation of Aboriginal healthcare leaders can thrive, advocating for systemic changes necessary to improve First Nations health outcomes in Australia.
The podcast navigates Ngaree’s notable projects and policy contributions, showcasing her leadership in public health, her passion for decolonising the health system, and her advocacy promoting the benefits of inclusive health practices not only to First Nations communities but to society as a whole.
Dr Blow’s grassroots initiative, “It’s a Mob Thing,” mobilises community narratives through specific programs designed to harness cultural pride and empower Indigenous communities. The next “It’s a Mob Thing” Festival is set to take place in Geelong on March 15, 2025.
A striking thread in Dr Blow’s work is her ability to hone in on systemic challenges from numerous angles. Her work on country and in community elevates her significant academic career, further emboldened by her active role in medical practice.
In her recent paper, Dr Blow emphasises the need for culturally safe healthcare for Indigenous families, advocating for the integration of their cultural needs within the healthcare system. She highlights the holistic health view of First Nations peoples in Australia and addresses the concerning rates of treatable skin infections among Indigenous children and adolescents. Her study underscores the importance of revitalising traditional practices and centring Indigenous voices to address health disparities effectively.
We are seeing Aboriginal Health Practitioners being used in hospitals, we are seeing Aboriginal Liaison Officers, we are seeing certain programs like the Koori Maternity Services… We are seeing some of these Aboriginal healthcare approaches being used in mainstream services. So it is happening. But there’s room for more.
– Dr Ngaree Blow
