Culturally safe spaces are vital to closing the respiratory health gap for First Nations peoples—and while community-led partnerships are leading the way, much more still needs to be done.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (First Nations peoples) experience significantly higher rates of chronic respiratory conditions than non-Indigenous Australians. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023), they are 2.2 times more likely to report having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 1.6 times more likely to report asthma. In 2021–22, over 5,400 asthma-related emergency department visits were recorded among First Nations people, highlighting a disproportionate burden of respiratory illness.
Addressing this gap means providing access to culturally safe spaces for education, support, and care that respect and reflect First Nations cultures and identities.
Grandparent and granddaughter at 360 Street Doctor.
Building Trust Through Partnerships with First Nations Health Organisations
Respiratory Care WA partners closely with First Nations organisations — including Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service, 360 Health and Community (Street Doctor), Binar Futures, Arche Health, Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation, Boronia Pre-Release Centre for Women, Bandyup Women’s Prison, Great Southern Aboriginal Health Service and South West Aboriginal Medical Service — to reach more than 1,100 First Nations people each year.
These sessions are held in culturally safe, familiar settings where community members feel respected, supported, and empowered to ask questions freely.
Being in a space that is familiar and acknowledges Country and connection to Indigenous culture is vital in establishing cultural safety,” explains Melanie Preen, Respiratory Care WA’s Community and Outreach Programs Coordinator.
”Being in a space that is familiar and acknowledges Country and connection to Indigenous culture is vital in establishing cultural safety."
“It encourages openness, builds trust, and helps people engage in meaningful learning.”
During yarning circles held in 2024 and 2025, participants shared powerful stories about their experiences with respiratory illness.
One elder reflected, “For the first time, I felt comfortable talking about my asthma and learned how to manage it better for me so that I can be there for my family—and help the grandkids with their asthma too.”
Breaking Down Barriers to Respiratory Health
Despite growing efforts, challenges remain. Staff at Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service (DYHS) report that transport barriers and low health literacy often prevent younger adults from accessing early diagnosis.
“While we offer transport for elderly patients, there’s little support for younger people aged 20–40,” says Rosedie Milne, Specialist and Allied Health Coordinator at DYHS.
To help address this, DYHS has partnered with Respiratory Care WA to deliver integrated respiratory assessments—combining specialist consultations and lung function testing in a single visit. However, due to limited resources, only eight of these dual-service appointments are available each month.
“Our clients see the same visiting specialist at each appointment, which helps build trust in a culturally safe setting. Over time, that consistency encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients to speak up about health concerns—and those concerns are addressed in a way that respects cultural values,” Milne explains.
Respiratory Care WA delivering lung function testing at one of Arche Health’s sites in Cannington.
Melanie at Arche Health’s Belvidere Health Centre in Belmont.
Creating culturally safe clinics
Arche Health is another organisation working alongside Respiratory Care WA to deliver culturally safe lung function testing and education programs.
“Arche Health’s Aboriginal Health Team delivers support programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients who are living with a variety of chronic conditions. A large portion of our clients have respiratory conditions that require different levels of education, review, and support to manage their respiratory health,” says Arche Health’s Aboriginal Health Manager, Trish Bushby.
“Having Respiratory Care WA work alongside us within our culturally safe locations to provide respiratory care clinics ensures a better client experience. It promotes positive interactions between their staff and our clients and leads to valuable learning around maintaining good respiratory health.”
“Breaking down information shared in client consults and delivering it in culturally appropriate ways – particularly with medication reviews to check if the client has the right medications and is using them correctly – has led to a vast improvement in many of our clients’ respiratory health and understanding of their conditions.
One of our clients recently stated, ‘That mob taught me how to use my puffer right… deadly mob.’”
”That mob taught me how to use my puffer right… deadly mob."
Closing the Respiratory Health Gap Together
Ensuring that respiratory health services are culturally safe, accessible, and community-led is essential to improving health outcomes for First Nations peoples in Western Australia. This work requires sustainable funding, supportive policies, and strong partnerships that respect and uplift Indigenous knowledge and voices.
By working together, we can continue closing the respiratory health gap and support First Nations peoples to lead stronger, healthier lives.
Our Partners
