Harmony Week 2024 will take place from 20th March to 26th March and celebrates the diversity of Australian cultures. At Injury Matters, we aim to create safer communities where everyone feels valued and included. Western Australia (WA) has a rapidly increasing multicultural population comprising various cultural communities, each with unique identities and experiences. With almost half of Australians having a parent born overseas and one-third of the population being born overseas themselves, it is more important than ever to ensure health services and injury prevention programs are accessible to all.
The unique demographics and several contributing factors can increase the risk of injury within WA’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) communities. Individuals from CaLD backgrounds experience high rates of drowning, suicide and intentional self-harm and violence. There are several factors which can contribute to the prevalence of injury among CaLD communities, such as lower levels of swimming ability, low levels of language proficiency, change in socioeconomic status, isolation, and discrimination.
When developing any injury prevention initiative, there is never a ‘one size fits all’ approach. To effectively address the needs and concerns of diverse populations, it is essential to include strategies that recognise how cultural factors influence attitudes, behaviours, and risk perceptions related to safety.
It should be acknowledged that different cultural groups may have varying perceptions of risk and safety. By recognising and addressing barriers to accessing services such as language barriers, cultural stigmas, or lack of trust in mainstream institutions, programs can effectively convey important safety messages and encourage behaviour change.
Culturally appropriate injury prevention programs empower communities to take ownership of their safety and well-being. By involving community members in program development and decision-making processes, programs can promote a sense of ownership and accountability, leading to sustainable behaviour change. Engaging in ongoing evaluation and feedback processes is essential to assess the effectiveness and cultural relevance of the program.
For guidance on developing an effective injury prevention initiative, adopt the Public Health Approach to Injury Prevention, visit our Know webpage, where each step of the approach is explained. You can also access our eDirectory to find multicultural organisations or injury prevention advocacy activities to engage with.