Brewarrina leads the way in ten-year health partnership

The Ten4Ten crew with locals at Brewarrina on Tuesday – l-r: Annabel Palfreeman, Katrina Ward, Amanda Capes-Davis, Felicity Berriman, Cathy Finlayson, Evelyn Wolfenden, Sharlene Wiebenga, Hilary Bowen, Julie Lukas, Connie Hanson. PHOTO CLEMENT BAUSIERE

A new heart health program is launching in Brewarrina this week – aiming to find local solutions to the common health problems of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes.

Seven million Australians live in rural and remote communities, where cardiovascular disease kills up to 70% more people than in cities — and the healthcare system was not built to fix it.

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has launched a landmark ten-year research partnership with the Brewarrina community — the first step in the national TEN4TEN — Healthier Tiny Towns initiative, designed to help small Australian towns tackle chronic disease through community-led health innovation.

UNNSW has worked alongside Brewarrina for over ten years, pioneering research into screening Aboriginal people for atrial fibrillation. […]

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