Keziah Bennett-Brook: Health for All

Meet Keziah Bennett-Brook, Manager of The George Institute Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program.

How long have you been working at The George Institute?

I started working at The George Institute in December 2017 as the Manager of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program. Before this I was working at the Australian Health Services Research Institute at the University of Wollongong as a Project Manager working in child injury prevention among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and improving the recruitment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher degree research students. I also worked in the not for profit sector as Coordinator of the Community Education program for SCARF (Strategic Community Assistance for Refugee Families) in partnership with the Refugee Council of Australia.

What attracted you to working here?

I learnt about the work of The George Institute through collaborations with TGI staff on projects in my previous my role. Also a colleague of mine had previously worked at The George Institute for years and would always speak highly of the organisation. So when a role came up and it was suggested I apply, I looked further in to the organisation and was incredibly impressed by the scope of work and the genuine commitment to improving the lives of millions. The George Institute’s core values are very closely aligned with my own and I wanted an opportunity to work for an organisation that has a humanitarian commitment to effecting positive change. 

As manager of The George Institute’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program, what are the goals and priorities for this program?

We have a cross cutting and expanding program of research within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. Underpinning all projects within the program is Aboriginal input and control of all aspects of proposed research and work built on strong and meaningful relationships with Aboriginal communities. We have goals to expand our program of research, both within Australia and overseas. There has been interest in a global indigenous health research agenda and we have had some initial discussions with staff from our China and India offices. The program has also seen strengthening partnerships in other places including the US and Canada. 

Other priorities for the program are to increase the visibility of the program internally and externally, increase advocacy efforts and engagement with government around priorities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Further, we are looking to increase our capacity building efforts to train and develop leaders within the field. We also have expanding collaborative partnerships including with UNSW and the Lowitja institute, and have well established connections with many Aboriginal communities, organisations and other universities. 

What are the biggest challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health today?

That’s a really big question and to answer properly requires a multifaceted response so I’ll just focus on a few things. One of the biggest challenges to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is the ongoing effects of intergenerational trauma and a lack of government leadership to help address this. Despite the Australian Federal Government’s commitment to the Closing the Gap strategy there has been little progress in effecting long standing improvements in the health of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The strategy requires an overhaul to be enacted properly, and needs to adequately address the social inequalities that determine health inequity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The government needs to properly engage with communities in decision making and let Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lead the decisions effecting their health. 

Another huge challenge is access to health services that ensure cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. I think you need to address the systemic racism within the health system and fix the structural problems in order to enact sustainable change on the ground.

This year’s theme for World Health Day is Universal Health Coverage and #HealthForAll. What does that term mean to you and your program?

Universal health coverage and #HealthForAll is about ensuring that no one is left behind in being able to access quality healthcare. This is particularly pertinent for Australia as we have not realised universal health coverage. To me it is completely unacceptable that we live in one of the richest and well-developed countries in the world and yet our First Peoples continue to experience widespread socioeconomic disadvantage and health inequality compared to other Australians. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples do not have an equal opportunity to be as healthy as other Australians and do not have equal access to primary health care, nor to health infrastructure. 

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program is committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to drive evidence based solutions and recognise a future where universal health coverage becomes a reality.

How can Australia achieve health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?

While there have been some improvements, overall commitment to achieving health equality has been lacking and progress has been slow. We need a whole of government coordination, genuine long-term commitment and investment in health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is crucial. In order to effect real change in addressing the health disparity the government needs to establish authentic partnerships with Aboriginal communities and let them take the lead on decisions effecting them. Before setting goals there also needs to be a fundamental understanding of the long-standing structural issues causing the gap in health and life expectancy outcomes. Importantly, as a country we need to respect and embrace Aboriginal cultural ways of knowing and doing, and recognise that Aboriginal people have the right to make decisions affecting them.

What motivates you most in your work?

I am motivated in everything that I do to make a positive impact to the people and world around me. I am also motivated by championing the strength and resilience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures. 

How did your career in health get started?

I have tertiary qualifications in English Literatures, Journalism and Professional Writing and so it was not a conventional path into the health field for me. Despite this I have always had a keen interest in health and so when I was approached by the Australian Health Services Research Institute to work as a project manager I made the jump in to the field. In my role at The George Institute I love that I get to synergise my interests in media, writing and policy development with health research and advocacy, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

To explain to people what I do I say…

It depends on the day because every day is different- whether it be policy development, communications, supporting a team of researchers or engaging with stakeholders to develop potential partnerships. Mostly, I explain that I manage a diverse and inspiring program of research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and get to work with like-minded people who are giving back to community and aspire to make a difference to health outcomes for all.