Supporting Community‐Driven Health Promotion: Insights From a National Best Practice Unit
Thrishila Parshu Ram, Eileen Van Iersel, Maxine Turner, Ashleigh Parnell, Edward Tilton, Penney UptonABSTRACT
Objective
This paper examines how the National Best Practice Unit Tackling Indigenous Smoking (NBPU TIS) supports program‐funded organisations through collaboration, knowledge exchange and culturally responsive practice, and how these processes strengthen community‐driven approaches to reducing smoking and vaping prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Methods
Six‐monthly online surveys were conducted from December 2016 to November 2023 to assess satisfaction with NBPU TIS support. Responses were analysed across seven themes: Cultural Understanding, Shared Values, Contact, Collaborative Working, Sharing Best Practice, Training and Development and Monitoring and Evaluation.
Results
Satisfaction was consistently high in Cultural Understanding (86%–97%) and Shared Values (86%–100%). Communication improved markedly, with agreement on regular, trustworthy contact rising from 60% to 100%. Positive trends were observed in Sharing Best Practice (59%–88%). Support for Training and Development and for Monitoring and Evaluation varied, with a decline noted in 2023 (42%).
Conclusions
NBPU TIS provides a collaborative environment that helps program‐funded organisations embed culturally grounded, evidence‐based practices. These findings emphasise the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, cultural knowledge and trust‐based relationships in strengthening program delivery and continuous improvement.
Implications for Public Health
Investing in best practice units can strengthen community‐driven health promotion programs by enhancing organisational capacity, supporting culturally responsive strategies and promoting community empowerment to achieve sustainable impact.