Pasifika Moving - Culturally responsive physical activity program for Pasifika Communities in Western Sydney underway
Group of participants from our first Talanoa with David Burns from Collective Leisure and Yvonne Peacock from the Western Sydney Local Health District.
The Pasifika community (e.g. Tongan, Samoan, Cook Islanders, Fijian, Maori, Tokelauan, Niuean) residing in Western Sydney face significant health challenges and are at increased risk of conditions like heart disease, renal failure, gout and diabetes. Lifestyle-related behaviours including sedentary behaviour, physical inactivity and nutrition are a significant contributor to these health disparities and access to culturally appropriate and low-cost physical activity programs is limited. Community members need to be thoroughly consulted on what their needs, preferences and barriers are to be more active.
To address these concerns, Collective Leisure have partnered with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Australian Pacific Communities, Multicultural Health Service, Priority Populations, Integrated and Community Health, Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD). With support from Blacktown City Council and Pacific Island Mt Druitt Action Network (PIMDAN).
Our goal is to address health inequities among Pasifika communities by co-designing and then delivering a physical activity program that is culturally responsive and meets the needs of the community. The project is funded through UTS Social Impact grants and has received ethics approval.
“The benefits of physical activity and movement are well known, but for many, being active is not that easy. The goal of Pasifika Moving is to facilitate a community-driven initiative built on cultural understanding, collaboration, and empowerment. To do so, we are working with the community to determine exactly what they need to make movement more supportive and accessible, and then co-deliver a program that meets these needs”. – Dr Oscar Lederman, UTS
By the community, for the community, led by community.
Health, Wellbeing and Culture are part and parcel of everything..(Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endemann)
To support in the development and implementation of Pasifika Moving, our team formed an expert advisory group consisting of Pasifika community leaders, Pasifika health professionals and researchers across Australia and New Zealand. During this consultation, it was identified that Pasifika mothers are a high-risk and under-resourced group.
“Recognised as community leaders, mothers have a big influence over family health, but they face a number of challenges, juggling responsibilities for large families on top of work and other commitments. By prioritising Pasifika mothers, we hope to improve their own health, while leveraging their role to fostering healthier lifestyles within the broader Pasifika community.” – Dr Oscar Lederman, UTS
To date we have held two co-design sessions at Mount Druitt Hub in November 2023 in the form of a Talanoa, or sharing of ideas. Community members over the age of 18 were invited to provide advice and share their experiences and how this impacts their ability to engage in physical activity and other health behaviours with the view to establish a pilot program for Pasifika mothers beginning in 2024.
Sixteen participants came together across two days to share their ideas in an engaging process that was thoroughly enjoyed by participants in addition to being a constructive dialogue to conceptualise the on-the-ground program.
The feedback from participants will be evaluated to determine the elements required for the Pasifika Moving physical activity program, commencing early in 2024.