First Nations people leading the way in COVID-19 pandemic planning, response and management

Abstract

• COVID-19 is a serious public health risk for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Previous pandemic plans did not identify or include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a priority population group
• Research following the 2009 pandemic found that infectious disease control measures must be developed in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are actively engaged in pandemic preparedness, response and management
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public health practitioners and researchers have been pivotal in identifying the issues, setting priorities and suggesting solutions for culturally informed strategies