Health Promot Int. 2025 Oct 30;40(6):daaf196. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daaf196.
ABSTRACT
Dunghutti Country is located within Australia's number one 'stroke hotspot', with incidence almost double the national average. First Nations peoples are disproportionately affected by stroke, with higher incidence and hospitalization rates and a greater risk of dying compared to non-First Nations Australians. Early recognition of stroke symptoms is critical for people to access time-sensitive medical interventions, maximizing recovery potential. Whilst an internationally recognized F.A.S.T (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) message exists to promote rapid recognition of stroke symptoms, community awareness of F.A.S.T is limited. This project aimed to collaboratively design a culturally responsive F.A.S.T health message with and by First Nation's peoples, thus increasing awareness of stroke symptoms, to improve response for seeking time-sensitive medical care. Guided by a qualitative participatory action methodology, and the use of cross-cultural Yarning as the method, this collaborative project involved six Dunghutti stroke survivors, a Dunghutti artist, a knowledge holder of local Dunghutti language, and a local occupational therapist/researcher, who reviewed the mainstream F.A.S.T health message and reimagined that message in a culturally relevant and meaningful way. Yarning allowed exploration of key themes, identifying three elements necessary to maximize the impact of First Nations health and well-being messaging. Elements included ensuring the health message (i) connects to Country, (ii) connects to understandings of health and well-being, and (iii) connects through relevant content, with First Nations peoples centred within the ideation, development, and message delivery processes.
PMID:41308115 | DOI:10.1093/heapro/daaf196