Prioritizing Built Environmental Factors to Tackle Chronic and Infectious Diseases in Remote Northern Territory (NT) Communities of Australia: A Concept Mapping Study.

Amal Chakraborty,Margaret Cargo,Nicola Slavin,Mark Daniel,Natasha J Howard,Alex Brown,Alwin Chong

doi:10.3390/ijerph18105178

Abstract

High prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases in Indigenous populations is a major public health concern both in global and Australian contexts. Limited research has examined the role of built environments in relation to Indigenous health in remote Australia. This study engaged stakeholders to understand their perceptions of the influence of built environmental factors on chronic and infectious diseases in remote Northern Territory (NT) communities. A preliminary set of 1120 built environmental indicators were systematically identified and classified using an Indigenous Indicator Classification System. The public and environmental health workforce was engaged to consolidate the classified indicators (n = 84), and then sort and rate the consolidated indicators based on their experience with living and working in remote NT communities. Sorting of the indicators resulted in a concept map with nine built environmental domains. Essential services and Facilities for health/safety were the highest ranked domains for both chronic and infectious diseases. Within these domains, adequate housing infrastructure, water supply, drainage system, reliable sewerage and power infrastructure, and access to health services were identified as the most important contributors to the development of these diseases. The findings highlight the features of community environments amenable to public health and social policy actions that could be targeted to help reduce prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases.

Highlights

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 22% of the global burden of disease, and 23% of all deaths are attributable to modifiable environmental factors [1].Disease burdens associated with environmental exposures are largely the result of chronic and infectious diseases
This GCM study was nested within a four-year Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funded project grant titled ‘Environments and Remote Indigenous Cardiometabolic Health (EnRICH)’
The 9-cluster solution concept map reflects aggregated perceptions of stakeholder participants with greater than 6 years of experience working in the government and nongovernment sector in the Northern Territory (NT)

Summary

Introduction

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 22% of the global burden of disease, and 23% of all deaths are attributable to modifiable environmental factors [1]. Disease burdens associated with environmental exposures are largely the result of chronic (e.g., cardiovascular) and infectious (e.g., respiratory) diseases. The WHO calls for creating and maintaining healthful environments as a priority for primary prevention [1]

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Conclusion