Communicable Diseases
Working alongside our communities to support culturally safe, community-led responses to communicable diseases, helping to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
What we do
NACCHO, alongside the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), leads the way in tackling communicable diseases like syphilis, COVID-19, and other emerging health threats. Through our strong partnerships and community-led initiatives, we support real change and better health outcomes across the country.
Our programs, such as the Enhanced Syphilis Response, COVID-19, and Blood Borne Virus and Sexually Transmissible Infections (BBVSTI), provide funding to 121 members and 7 affiliates, empowering local communities to take control of their health needs. Our team also keeps a close watch on emerging outbreaks like mpox, tuberculosis, and Japanese encephalitis.
Our initiatives
NACCHO’s success comes from years of advocacy and a determined commitment to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Enhanced Syphilis Response (ESR) program
Since its launch in 2018, the ESR program has become a model for other disease prevention initiatives. It started when NACCHO advocated for a community-led response to the syphilis outbreak. The program’s success led the Australian Government to fully transition responsibility to NACCHO by July 2024, enabling us to coordinate training and quality assurance for syphilis point-of-care testing.
Blood Borne Virus and Sexually Transmissible Infections program
This program supports ACCHOs to build local workforces to tackle BBVSTI priorities, offering funding and resources for tailored, community-led responses.
In 2025, we will launch a new initiative funded by the Federal Government to improve access to menstrual products for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls in regional and remote areas.
HTLV-1
In partnership with key health organisations, NACCHO is leading the charge on HTLV-1 research and awareness in affected communities. We’re developing culturally safe guidelines and resources to help healthcare providers offer effective support and education.
Our approach
Our strength lies in our people. The dedicated ACCHO workforce, deeply connected to their communities, delivers health services that go far beyond standard care. They provide education, support, and culturally safe health services in areas like sexual health and blood borne viruses—where stigma can often be a barrier to care.
Our impact
Our programs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have achieved:
- The development of a skilled sexual health, blood borne virus, and COVID-19 workforce.
- Increased community engagement and awareness.
- Expanded testing and treatment options.
- A wide range of health promotion activities.
- Innovative models designed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including home visits, mobile clinics, and activities in local schools and other community settings.
Beyond supporting local services, NACCHO also pushes for systemic reforms, thanks to the sector’s work in identifying issues
and solutions. Some key achievements include:
- Extending the Closing the Gap PBS co-payment scheme to cover s100 highly specialised drugs from 1 July 2024. This now includes treatments for hepatitis B, HIV, opioid dependence, and more.
- Advocating for stronger national action to address the syphilis outbreak, with a focus on greater prioritisation and funding. Progress has been made, but more work is still needed.
Case study
Enhanced Syphilis Response – A model for Success
The model established for the Enhanced Syphilis Response program, where the ACCHO sector and the Australian Government worked in partnership, created a pathway for a great public health success story.
When COVID-19 hit, this existing partnership between NACCHO and the Australian Government was key to acting quickly to stop the spread.
Remote communities acted quickly, with NACCHO leading preparedness efforts. This resulted in a remarkable achievement, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were six times less likely to contract COVID-19 in 2021. This strong, community-led response saved an estimated 2,000 lives, showcasing the power of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership when supported by effective partnerships.
Committees
NACCHO and the sector are represented on a range of national communicable diseases committees including:
- NACCHO co-chairs the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Protection (NATSIHP) subcommittee of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) with the Department of Health and Aged Care
- NATSIHP also includes strong representation from the sector and provides holistic and culturally safe advice on health protection matters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
ACCHO locations
NACCHO oversees a network of 146 members, each running Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across urban, regional, and remote Australia. These ACCHOs range from large facilities with multiple healthcare professionals providing comprehensive services to smaller centres focused on preventive care and health education, primarily delivered by Aboriginal Health Workers and nurses.
NACCHO’s Aged Care programs are delivered in selected locations across its network, ensuring culturally appropriate care reaches Elders and older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in diverse urban, regional, and remote communities.
Contact
For any inquiries or assistance, please contact the Communicable Diseases team, here: bbvsti@naccho.org.au.
