Strengthening preventive health action in culturally and linguistically diverse populations
South Australia is a proudly multicultural state, home to people from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Preventive Health SA recognises communities from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds may face specific barriers impacting their health and wellbeing.
We are committed to supporting CALD communities across South Australia to optimise health and wellbeing outcomes. Through collaborative partnerships, community-led initiatives, and meaningful engagement, we work to empower communities, strengthen cultural responsiveness and support equitable access.
This video was produced by the Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia with the support of Preventive Health SA. It highlights the voices of South Australia's multicultural communities and offers valuable insights into the key factors that shape health and wellbeing.
In alignment with the National Preventive Health Strategy 2021-2030, which recognises CALD communities as one of the priority populations, we are collaborating with trusted community organisations to strengthen health equity for CALD communities in South Australia.
Community based projects
Australian Migrant Resource Centre Wellbeing Hub
This initiative involves the development of a culturally informed, appropriate and safe Wellbeing Hub concept to improve the physical, social and mental wellbeing of South Australian multicultural communities. This concept will be developed using the co-design, co-investment, community-led model developed for establishing Wellbeing Hubs with local governments.
Read more about the Wellbeing Hubs model and partnerships with local government
Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia (MCCSA)
Preventive Health SA is partnering with MCCSA on two key initiatives:
Addressing Gaps in Health Literacy
This initiative seeks to improve health literacy among CALD communities in metropolitan and regional South Australia, to reduce the inequities experienced by CALD individuals regarding non-communicable diseases.
Taking Care of Me
Taking Care of Me seeks to empower CALD men to take proactive steps towards their health by co-designing, piloting and evaluating a community-led, culturally tailored men's health literacy and prevention initiative across six CALD communities in northern Adelaide. This project is being offered in partnership with the Hospital Research Foundation Group and the University of Adelaide.
Australian Refugee Association
Healthy Futures
Healthy Futures is a comprehensive preventive health project designed to improve health outcomes and promote economic stability through activities focused on physical health, nutrition and wellbeing education. It also promotes support for financial stability among refugees and asylum seekers, particularly focusing on children and families.
Diabetes SA
Reducing the incidence and impact of type-2 diabetes among priority populations
This initiative will co-design culturally appropriate health information and screening supports to reduce the incidence and impact of type-2 diabetes among Aboriginal people and those from CALD backgrounds. The project is expected to improve health literacy, including awareness of the risk factors for type-2 diabetes. It also highlights the importance of culturally responsive approaches in preventive health.
Council on the Ageing SA
Transition of Strength for Life and Easy Moves to a sustainable model
This project seeks to increase physical activity and social connection for older individuals from CALD communities, lower socioeconomic areas, and regional parts of South Australia through focused instructor training and the delivery of programs like Strength for Life and Easy Moves.
Research and evaluation projects
Rebuilding life after migration
This project involves secondary analysis of data collected on the settlement experiences of migrants and refugees. Findings are shared with contributing communities through translated simple summaries in up to ten languages, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.
Social and emotional wellbeing of CALD youth
This project supports research led by Torrens University and investigated risk and protective factors affecting the social and emotional wellbeing of young people from CALD backgrounds in South Australia. The study includes a systematic review, environmental scan, data collections, co-designed interventions and evaluation.
This report is currently under development.
For more information about the projects and initiatives, please contact preventivehealthsa.strategy@sa.gov.au.
