Strong Families Study

There are things in our lives that make us strong as individuals, families and communities.

Strong Families Study is designed with Community for Families to help bub and you grow strong.

The study explores the health and well-being of you, your Partner and Bub throughout pregnancy and early childhood. The study will continue for the first 1000 days of Bub’s life.

What is Strong Families?

Strong Families is a partnership of health services such as Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, Qld Health, and Mater Research Institute working to prioritise self-determined research in a community-led study. An Indigenous Steering Committee helped to develop this study to identify what makes Community health deadly and strong. The Committee wanted to identify early childhood programs and promote health education to prevent chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes.

Interested? Get in touch for a yarn.

Who’s involved?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and birthing mothers. Dads/Partners are also included because they are important in Bub’s growth and development.

What happens to data?

All personal information is de-identified and then stored in a secure server at the University of Queensland. De-identified personal information is only accessible with Indigenous Steering Committee approval.

Can I leave the study?

Yes.
You can leave; the choice is yours.

Do I have to participate?

You don’t have to if you don’t want to, again the choice is up to you. Perinatal care will still be available to you and bub.

Risks and benefits

The study staff are trained and experienced with getting samples and will help to make you feel comfortable at all stages. You can let them know about any worries. The benefits include growing deadly and strong families.

What’s involved?

For Mummas and Partners...
Face-to-face surveys will be conducted with an Aboriginal Health Worker and Midwife. Some study visits might ask for measurements and blood or urine samples. With your permission, health records can be accessed to save you repeating your medical history.

For Bubbas...
Your Bub would be screened during pregnancy and into early childhood to help support strong development.