Lachlan Wright awarded prestigious TSANZ award

The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) have awarded Lachlan Wright with the prestigious TSANZ President’s Award.

Lachlan was chosen in recognition of his significant contributed to promoting respiratory health in rural communities through the ‘One Deadly Step’ program.

Professor Christine Jenkins, Director of the Respiratory Division at The George Institute for Global Health has said the award is a great honour.

“The TSANZ President’s Award is a coveted award given to those who have significantly contributed to promoting respiratory health in the community.

“Expertise in respiratory health is essential in minimising disease burden in the community and Lachlan’s ‘One Deadly Step’ is delivering vital primary public health interventions to poorly accessible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia”

Candidates for the award are considered on the basis that they have a strong track record in promoting respiratory health in the community through scientific research, community action, health promotion or advocacy, with preference being given to those nominees whose contribution has been in the area of tobacco control. 

Wright is a Project Manager for the Cardiovascular Team at The George Institute for Global Health, and was chosen for the award in recognition of his work innovative work with the One Deadly Step Program in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities.

“I am honoured to have received this award for working with Aboriginal communities specifically with the One Deadly Step program.

The One Deadly Step program is organised and run as a community event through partnership with the New South Wales Country Rugby League, encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to attend and be screened for a number of chronic diseases and follow up the screening with their general practitioner.

The program encourages community engagement and partnerships between local health service providers such as Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, Local Health Districts and Medicare Locals.

“When I designed the program I always knew it would work well for Aboriginal communities because of its flexibility and the ability of the community to have ownership when running the event.”

The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) is an organisation committed to improving the knowledge and understanding of lung disease, preventing respiratory illness through research and health promotion, and improving health care for people with respiratory disorders.