A world-first study will look at improving the health literacy of people in NSW prisons, thanks to a $500,000 grant awarded by the NSW Government to the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (JHNSW). Health literacy refers to how people access, learn from and use health information and services to look after themselves.
People in NSW prisons, particularly Aboriginal people, have poorer health outcomes and lower health literacy than those in the broader community, according to recent research.
Numerous studies have found that people in NSW prisons have higher rates of communicable and non-communicable diseases compared to the general population, including mental health conditions, Hepatitis A, B and C, HIV, drug and alcohol disorders, asthma, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease
The landmark study is being delivered in partnership with the Swinburne University of Technology Centre for Global Health and Equity, as one of nine projects funded through the NSW Health Translational Research Grants Scheme (TRGS).
The study aims to develop solutions that will provide people in NSW Correctional Centres with better and more equitable access to health information and services.
The TRGS funds competitive grants for projects that help deliver better patient outcomes while building research capability in NSW Health.
The grant will enable a study to identify and design new approaches to work with people in prison and their service providers to improve overall care, including managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes.
The research team is led by Chief Investigators Dr Julia Bowman (JHNSW) and Professor Richard Osborne (Swinburne University of Technology).
The study complements Justice Health NSW's focus on preventable health outcomes building staff capacity so that all interactions emphasise health prevention.
The Justice Health NSW budget for the 2024-25 Service Agreement is approximately $306 million. While a portion of the budget is dedicated to health promotion and preventing health conditions, the focus is on building staff capacity so that all interactions emphasise health prevention.
Minister for Medical Research and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:
“Research shows people entering prison, especially Aboriginal people, have more issues accessing care than those in the wider community. By looking at how we can improve this access, it could improve their health outcomes and in turn reduce the need for more expensive acute care.
“While there are many strengths in the current service provision for people in prison, there is an opportunity to better address the specific needs of Aboriginal people.
“This grant will fund an extensive co-design process to build on existing strengths and further enhance the overall health of people in NSW prisons."
Justice Health NSW Chief Executive Wendy Hoey PSM said:
“Justice Health NSW has been at the forefront of research into the health literacy of people in prisons for several years. This grant will allow us to continue to be a world leader in the field that drives improvements in healthcare for people in contact with the criminal justice system.
“By listening to the voices of Aboriginal people in custody and implementing their ideas to enhance health and wellbeing, this project has the great potential to mitigate deaths in custody and improve outcomes for the entire prison population."
Justice Health NSW Chief Investigator Dr Julia Bowman said:
“The team is united by a passion for public health and a commitment to improving health and equity for all and we look forward to seeing the results of this exciting project."
Centre for Global Health and Equity, Swinburne University of Technology, Chief Investigator, Distinguished Professor Richard Osborne said:
“We are grateful to the hundreds of people who have allowed us to hear their voices across the prison services, in one of the biggest co-design processes I have ever seen. It is an honour to be working with NSW Health, Corrective Services, and the Aboriginal community to deliver these improvements."