key: cord-0704200-0bvdcroc
authors: Kerrigan, Vicki; Lee, Anne Marie; Ralph, Anna P.; Lawton, Paul D.
title: Stay Strong: Aboriginal leaders deliver COVID‐19 health messages
date: 2020-05-30
journal: Health Promot J Austr
DOI: 10.1002/hpja.364
sha: 6530fc6c11e7f4bc8067cd0966aaa8443ec06a6a
doc_id: 704200
cord_uid: 0bvdcroc

COVID-19 caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has constituted a pandemic unparalleled in modern history. The spread, case numbers, and socioeconomic consequences have resulted in pandemic control measures attempting to "flatten the curve". Australia recorded its first case of COVID-19 on the 25th of January 2020. The federal government responded to the virus spread by escalating human movement controls: during February any person arriving from countries with high rates of infection were expected to quarantine for 14 days in a third country before entering Australia.

"Stop smoking" was included due to high rates of smoking amongst Aboriginal people 8 and given concern about a higher severity of COVID-19 disease in smokers compared to nonsmokers. The message encouraged people to take control of their health and to cross-check with a reliable source the accuracy of information. 9 To ensure videos remained relevant during the pandemic, information about transmission rates or changes in government protocols was not included.

Elders, cultural educators, former politicians and health professionals from Darwin, Barunga, Lajamanu, Wurrumiyanga and Galiwinku created five short videos in English, Kriol, Warlpiri, Tiwi and Djambarrpuyngu catering to the largest language groups across the Top End of the NT (http://www.menzi es.edu.au/resou rces/?keywo rds=coron avirus). Two of the leaders were undergoing treatment for serious illnesses: end-stage kidney disease and cancer. In addition, to the medical messages which were workshopped with leaders (not delivered as a script), community concerns were addressed. About

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