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Corresponding Author

Tracy McRae. Email: tracy.mcrae@thekids.org.au

Abstract

Language is significant for communicating knowledge across cultures and generations and has the power to attribute meanings and alter our worldviews. More than 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders languages were spoken in 1788. This number has diminished to approximately 110 languages spoken in 2016, of which 90% were considered endangered in 2019. Language custodians and speakers across Australia are working to preserve and ensure languages are strongly spoken into the future. Language revitalisation initiatives can facilitate (re)connection to Country, cultures and communities and be recognised as acts of reconciliation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In a health context, recent evidence indicates that connection to language and culture is important in promoting overall health and wellbeing for Indigenous people. Embedding culture and language into health resources is now a key strategy for public health to reduce the existing health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. With the increased demand for Indigenous language health promotion resources, practical policies and guidelines on development and distribution are required. Furthermore, investigation is warranted into the effectiveness and impact of local community context and how end users perceive and may apply these resources.

Methods
This study reports a qualitative research process and impact inquiry of Aboriginal community-led healthy skin resources to address the gaps in understanding the development and impact of Indigenous language health promotion resources. The development of these resources is described in detail, followed by an impact inquiry, including perspectives from six end users employed in health care, health ethics and governance. Data for this impact inquiry were collected via audio recorded semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed verbatim before an inductive thematic analysis was conducted. It is anticipated that these perspectives will help guide best practice in the development and use of future resources in language.

Findings
Our study validates how strong Aboriginal leadership from Elders and community members guided the development of the books. Using local language custodians and speakers to translate healthy skin messages facilitated two-way learning opportunities and enabled self-determination in the communities. Healthcare practitioners articulated the benefit of using language and visuals to help explain skin infections and their sequelae. An Aboriginal health research ethics committee and research governance staff believed these books were best practice for guiding future health promotion resources in an Aboriginal context.

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