#70 HepSA Community News

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Marra Dreaming Aboriginal women’s health and art workshop

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‘The Womens Meeting Place’ by Jannette Barna, courtesy of Marra Dreaming

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ndigenous Australians are four times as likely to be hospitalised for chronic health conditions, compared with other Australians. Viral hepatitis is one of the serious and chronic conditions affecting the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. It’s also known that women play an integral role in the health and wellbeing of their families and communities. Supporting and exploring

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indigenous culture is another key aspect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing. Hepatitis SA wanted to provide a culturally appropriate program for Aboriginal women to strengthen their health literacy, build knowledge and skills, all in a respectful and affirming manner. To achieve this, staff at Marra Dreaming kindly invited Hepatitis SA staff to join in with a group

over four weeks in March and April to talk about hepatitis B and C and how it affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities. Marra Dreaming is an indigenous arts centre, based in Salisbury. It is a safe, welcoming space where community can share their creativity and have a yarn about worries, stresses, safe relationships, health and wellbeing. Every Monday, a

HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 70 • June 2016

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