SOUTHERN Cross University has secured a $2.46 million research grant to expand a national program helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women quit smoking and vaping during pregnancy.<\/p>\n
The funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council will expand the university-led SISTACARE initiative, which builds on the long-running SISTAQUIT smoking program established in 2016.<\/p>\n
The project is designed to embed culturally safe smoking and vaping cessation care into routine maternity services across Australia.<\/p>\n
Led by professor Gillian Gould at SCU, SISTACARE will use the four-year grant to strengthen partnerships with hospitals, midwifery teams, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services nationwide.<\/p>\n
“This grant enables us to reach every health service that cares for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women during pregnancy,” professor Gould said.<\/p>\n
“Our project is led by Aboriginal experts and community voices. Together, we’re strengthening health systems, reducing risks, and supporting long-term community wellbeing.”<\/p>\n
SISTACARE Aboriginal chief investigator Rebecca Hyland, who is a senior research project manager at SCU, said the program reflects the strength and determination of Aboriginal communities.<\/p>\n
“Our women are strong, resilient, and deeply motivated to quit the smokes and give their babies the best start in life,” she said.<\/p>\n
“What we need are health systems that provide the best possible support for women to quit smoking and vaping and this funding helps make that a reality.”<\/p>\n
The investment represents the third time in a decade the program has received funding through the NHMRC Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases.<\/p>\n
A key focus of the expanded program is improving access to culturally appropriate quit-smoking support at a time when smoking during pregnancy remains a major contributor to low birthweight, pre-term birth, perinatal mortality, and long-term childhood health inequities.<\/p>\n
“Through the SISTAQUIT training, health professionals report feeling far more confident, skilled, and optimistic about providing cessation care to pregnant Aboriginal mums,” professor Gould said.<\/p>\n
“We’re equipping staff with practical training and digital tools so women can access the right support wherever they receive their pregnancy care.”<\/p>\n
The funding coincides with the rollout of a new mobile app developed through the program, aimed at delivering quit-smoking and vaping support directly to Indigenous women beyond clinical settings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SOUTHERN Cross University has secured a $2.46 million research grant to expand a national program helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women quit smoking and vaping during pregnancy. The funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council will expand the university-led SISTACARE initiative, which builds on the long-running SISTAQUIT smoking program established in 2016. […]<\/p>\n