23 November 2010
The latest technology being used to halt the chronic spread of diabetes and kidney failure is on show at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healthcare Conference 2010 today and tomorrow at the Citigate Central Hotel, Sydney.
The Jimmy Little Foundation is showcasing the cutting-edge Bluetooth hub to send SMS messages to young people in remote communities across the Northern Territory and far north Queensland.
Founder of the Jimmy Little Foundation, Uncle Jimmy Little, said Bluetooth technology was being used to deliver the Thumbs Up healthy eating and lifestyle messages in communities such as Yirrkala and Maningrida in the Northern Territory and Beagle Bay in Western Australia.
“We are working in 29 Remote Service Delivery (RSD) communities and with this initiative, we can keep in touch with all those students who have been part of our programs,” the award-winning musician and kidney transplant survivor said.
“A young person can go home and tell their family all about their experience in the workshops, the lessons learned and pass on healthy eating tips and then open their phone up to show everyone!
“This is something the Northern Territory government has shown a lot of interest in and supports our roll out of this initiative.”
Through the Thumbs Up! program, the messages about healthy eating to avoid diabetes are spread in the classroom, where students are engaged through music and multi-media by ambassadors of the Jimmy Little Foundation.
Creative songs and videos are developed and produced and then given back to the community to foster pride and improve retention of the messages.
“Another fantastic spin-off of this Bluetooth technology is that we are able to upload what we’ve recorded that day, so no waiting around for dvds and things, the people in the community can download straight onto their phones.”
“The Jimmy Little Foundation is also working with corporate partners to encourage school attendance through a reward system and we see many more possibilities to engage remote communities in healthy eating and healthy lifestyle education.”
Jimmy Little presented during the conference on his personal health experiences and challenges as an Indigenous Australian as well as first-hand observations and solutions discovered over a lifetime and through the Jimmy Little Foundation.
As well as high-level government officials and decision makers including Tom Calma and Brian Gleeson at the conference this week, there will be many health workers from remote communities who will be able to investigate how this technology can assist them in information dissemination.
The Jimmy Little Foundation Bluetooth Hub will be operating throughout the two-day conference and between 5pm and 9pm at Chifley Tower in Bent Street on Thursday night during the Gabrielle Pool- Utopia 26°S 148°E art exhibition.
The Jimmy Little Foundation (JLF) is an Australian national organisation founded in 2006 and working towards creating a healthier future for indigenous Australians.