Author Identifier (ORCID)
Abstract
Background: Aboriginal leaders in Western Australia’s Kimberley region have voiced concern that research conducted on their lands is not being adequately used to inform meaningful change. Objective: This scoping review, grounded in an Aboriginal-academic partnership, identifies the child and adolescent health-related research conducted in the region and summarises the authors’ recommendations for knowledge translation. Methods: Drawing on PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases for publications between January 1967 and June 2025, focusing on children aged ≤ 18 years. Data extraction was conducted using Covidence, and publications were categorised based on the International Classification of Diseases (11th Revision; ICD-11). Inductive thematic analysis was performed on the recommendations from the publications, which were coded into topics. Results: Across the 163 included publications, health conditions aligned with research in other remote regions, the most common ICD-11 health category being infectious and parasitic diseases (n = 47). Many health conditions were preventable, including through vaccination and other prevention programs, or by addressing social determinants of health. Conclusions: Many of the key findings and recommendations were repeated in publications over many years, suggesting these issues persist. The recommendations could be grouped into three broad themes: 1) systemic healthcare reform; 2) addressing environmental and social determinants of health; and 3) ensuring resources are available for Aboriginal people to lead solutions. There is sufficient research evidence to warrant change. This review highlights the need for systemic change and long-term investment, implemented through Aboriginal-led governance, with government agencies held accountable to communities.
Keywords
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, child health, place-based service design, remote, research translation, Western Australia
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
10-1-2026
Article Number
105689
ISSN
01688510
Volume
172
Publication Title
Health Policy
Publisher
Elsevier
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Cannon, L., Elliott, E. J., Dossetor, A., Tsang, T. W., Islam, M. I., Martiniuk, A. L., Naanai, H., Esgin, T., Carter, E., & Rice, L. J. (2026). Recommendations from health research for children and adolescents living in the Kimberley region of Western Australia: A scoping review. Health Policy, 172, Article 105689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2026.105689